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By BRIAN MALINA brianm@leader.net
Thursday, March 06, 2003 Page: 3A
WILKES-BARRE – Robbery suspect Andrew Melodick had an unusual request for a
district justice Wednesday morning – he wanted his bail raised.
Melodick, who is charged with robbing a Turkey Hill Minit Market early
Wednesday morning, wanted his bail bumped up from $20,000 to $50,000 so he
could be moved to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility’s maximum security
floor.
Why? Fewer inmates, less noise.
His request was denied.
“That’s the first request like that I’ve had in my 18 years (on the
bench),” said District Justice Martin Kane.
Melodick, 33, of Trethaway Street, was arraigned before Kane on Wednesday
morning on multiple charges including robbery and robbery of a motor vehicle.
Melodick is accused of robbing the Turkey Hill Minit Market, 544 N. Main
St., at knifepoint early Wednesday, then stealing a car belonging to a store
clerk.
He is also a suspect in overnight robberies at a Turkey Hill Minit Market
at Rutter Avenue and Bennett Street in Kingston and Regal Pizza on North Main
Street in Wilkes-Barre, according to authorities. Also, Plains police are
considering a connection with a knifepoint robbery at 7:16 p.m. at Lispi’s
Cocktail Lounge on Fox Hill Road. “He is not the person who entered the
building, but we haven’t ruled out the possibility the suspect was involved in
some way,” said Sgt. James O’Malley. Melodick’s facial hair did not match the
suspect described at Lispi’s, he said.
Melodick, who previously served time in the Luzerne County Correctional
Facility for robbing convenience stores, was apprehended by state police at
3:20 a.m. Wednesday.
Wilkes-Barre Police Chief Tony George said he expects Melodick to be
charged in connection with the Regal Pizza robbery by the end of the week.
Prison Lt. Kevin Gallagher said it’s true the prison’s fifth floor is
generally quieter than other floors, but even if Melodick’s request for a
higher bail was granted, he wouldn’t have made it to the fifth floor.
The seriousness of the charge not the bail amount – is the primary factor
in placing someone on the fifth floor, he said.
“Most of those guys are working on their legal work. They don’t want to be
bothered. It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s always the quietest floor,” said
Gallagher, adding that some on the fifth floor are facing homicide charges.
Gallagher said there’s still a chance Melodick could be assigned to the
fifth floor – if he is unruly or commits additional offenses while in prison.
Brian Malina, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7196.