Driver arrested after trying to escape police on roadway

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Cameron County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a man after responding to a call about multiple vehicles on the roadway causing a disturbance and potentially racing.

According to the sheriff’s office, at about 11 p.m. Friday, deputies responded to the area of Bob Youker and Old Rio Hondo Rd. in Harlingen.

When deputies arrived they saw a car parked in the middle of the intersection of Bob Youker and Grimes Street past the stop sign. Deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle but the driver, identified as, Richard Melecio, 20, drove away from authorities.

Melecio turned off his lights and abruptly changed lanes to avoid being seen. The vehicle finally came to a stop on the 3700 block of Harrison St., the release stated.

Authorities say Melecio refused to step out of the vehicle and resisted arrest with physical force. Deputies deployed a taser to secure him in handcuffs.

Melecio was interviewed by deputies and told them he was “only doing the same thing drivers from other cars were doing.”

It was revealed by deputies that Melecio had an active misdemeanor warrant for fleeing police officers out of Cameron County Court at Law 5.

Melecio was transported to the Carrizales Rucker Detention Center and is pending arraignment. He is charged with evading arrest, a state jail felony, resisting arrest search or transportation, a Class A Misdemeanor, and a misdemeanor warrant for fleeing police officers.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KVEO-TV.