No charges filed against Markleeville man in carjacking

A Markleeville man who spent the last week in custody will be released today after prosecutors determined there was no evidence that he was involved in an attempted May 30 carjacking.

Niquoia Winterhawk Lundy, 40, was taken into custody in the neighborhood behind Smith’s along with charged carjacking suspect Derek M. Melendez.

However, at a Tuesday morning hearing, prosecutor Chelsea Mazza said Lundy was not seen on any of the surveillance video, wasn’t driving and there was no indication he was doing anything besides walking with Melendez.

Mazza said it’s possible the state could issue a summons or warrant, should more evidence come to light, but as of Tuesday he is a free man.

The men were arrested after Melendez, 30, allegedly tried to take a vehicle at gunpoint from a woman who was filling up her tank at the gas station.

Melendez remains in custody on a bail of $250,000 cash.

He is scheduled to appear in East Fork Justice Court on Wednesday afternoon. Melendez is under investigation by the FBI in connection with a shooting that claimed the life of Dresslerville resident Eric “EJ” Wyatt Jr., 32. A service for Wyatt is today at the Dresslerville Gym.