Homeless man arrested for a stabbing in Soledad

A man wanted for stabbing another man in Soledad is now in jail.

Soledad Police said 37-year-old Jose Gonzalez Melendez was arrested on Tuesday after witnesses spotted him near the river bed of the Salinas River behind Los Coches Drive.

According to police, Melendez approached the victim while he was sleeping in his personal car on Palm Avenue at 6:30 am, Monday, August 22 nd . Melendez asked for some water and briefly exchanged words with the victim before pulling out a kitchen knife and stabbing the man in the upper torso. The victim recognized Melendez as a local homeless man.

Police said there was a quick struggle and Melendez then jumped on his bicycle and took off.

Melendez left some belongings which contained his identity before leaving the scene. Investigators were later able to submit the case to a judge who issued a $1,000,000 arrest warrant for attempted murder.

Melendez was booked into the Monterey County Jail, but the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Soledad Police Department at (831) 223-5121.