On the afternoon of May 21, Montezuma County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 report of a man threatening to shoot people at The Depot restaurant on Railroad Avenue in Dolores.
According to the sheriff report, the suspect, identified as Nicholas Paul Melchionda, 38, left the business and told occupants he would return with his gun and shoot them.
This triggered an immediate manhunt, and several officers responded.
Another 911 call reported the suspect was in possession of magazine cartridges and was trying to break into a residence on Central Avenue to retrieve a firearm.
Upon arriving at the residence, deputy Antaeus Draughon drew his weapon and approached the suspect, ordering him to stop and show his hands, according to the report. The man refused, stated “Shoot me” and walked away, but then turned back toward the deputy.
“Melchionda began moving towards me and stated ‘Shoot me,’” Draughon stated in the report. “I deployed my X2 Taser ECD, striking his stomach area ... with no effect.”
Draughon said that he struck the suspect with a closed fist in the face as he continued to approach, then took him to the ground with a hip throw.
After the suspect refused to be cuffed, Hancock and Sgt. Underwood forced compliance, and he was taken into custody.
A Glock 9mm handgun was retrieved from the residence and taken into evidence.
Deputies also collected magazines the suspect had thrown to the ground, including two 15-round Glock magazines containing eight rounds each, and one 31-round magazine containing 29 rounds.
Melchionda was transported to Southwest Memorial Hospital, where he was medically cleared. A Breathalyzer test recorded an alcohol level of .180, according to the report.
Melchionda was jailed and booked on felony menacing, criminal attempt, obstructing a peace officers, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.
