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Friday, September 06, 1996 Page: 3A
Alleged WVW school intruder to face trial on charges
Two of the four charges against Calixto Melendez
Jr., 32, of Kingston dismissedWilkes-Barre superintendent says fear of such
incidents a major concern for schools.
By TOYA STEWART
Times Leader Staff Writer
WILKES-BARRE — The greatest security concern for the city’s school
district is what happened recently in another local district.
Wilkes-Barre School Superintendent Jeff Namey said intruders in school
buildings pose a major concern for officials.
A man who allegedly entered two Wyoming Valley West schools last week had a
preliminary hearing Thursday and is scheduled to go to trial on two charges.
Calixto Melendez Jr., 32, of Thomas Avenue, Kingston, reportedly wandered into
two schools on the first two days of classes, resulting in his arrest on
suspicion of trespassing.
Melendez appeared before District Justice Paul Roberts in Kingston. Roberts
dismissed a felony charge of criminal trespass and a misdemeanor charge of
defiant trespasser.
“The police didn’t have enough evidence or testimonies to pursue charges,”
Roberts said after the hearing.
Melendez is scheduled to stand trial on one charge each of defiant
trespasser and receiving stolen goods.
Melendez is jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility in lieu of
$2,500 bail. His court date has yet to be set.
Police said they were called to the middle school on Aug. 28 after
receiving a report that a suspicious male had been spotted in the school for
two consecutive days. It is not clear why police were not summoned on Aug. 27.
Melendez told police he entered the school on Chester Street to use the
bathroom. Additionally, Melendez told police he had gone into the elementary
school which is also on Chester Street.
Police said they took Melendez into custody, and when they searched him
they found a two-way radio that had been reported stolen on Aug. 4.
Wyoming Valley West officials did not return phone messages left on
Thursday.
Namey said there have been some incidents where unauthorized persons have
entered Wilkes-Barre school buildings, but officials try to ensure that
buildings are secure. Some schools have video cameras or buzzer systems in
place at their main entrances to monitor visitors.
“It’s difficult to secure buildings at all times and we struggle with
that,” Namey said. “But safety problems don’t occur very often.”
Principals and teachers at city schools monitor school hallways throughout
the day. Most of the doors are locked from the outside to deter unauthorized
visitors from entering schools, Namey said. Students can use those doors to
exit the building in case of emergency.
Calixto Melendez Jr.
2 charges dismissed