Man Allegedly Tried to Tie Young Waltham Girl Up With a Phone Cord

A 37-year-old homeless man is facing serious charges for allegedly attempting to tie a 14-year-old girl up with a phone cord and stuffing clothing in her mouth, according to Waltham Police.

Luis Melendez, 37, is facing the following charges: kidnapping, assault to commit a felony, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (shirt), witness intimidation and larceny from a building, according to police. 

A judge ordered Melendez held pending a Jan. 23 dangerousness hearing, according to Waltham District Court records.

The incident began at 4:55 p.m. on Jan. 18 when officers were called to a Waltham home to speak to a mother and daughter about an attempted kidnapping, according to court records. When officers arrived, the pair was standing outside appearing shaken. The mother told police she had gone to the store and left her daughter at their home whens he got a frantic phone call from her daughter. The daughter said Melendez had “attempted to tie her up with a phone cord,” according to court records.

The girl escaped, however, by jumping out of a first floor window of the house and flagging down a passing motorist for assistance. The girl is ok but was taken to a hospital for a precautionary exam, according to Waltham Police Sgt. Tim King.

"At this point, it still unknown what his exact motive was," King said. "It's a strange set of circumstances."

The victim told police Melendez had come to the house and watched a movie, according to court records. After the movie ended, the victim went to her bedroom to get a bag of clothes. Melendez followed her to the bedroom, “at which point he grabbed her and threw her down into a pile of clothes that were in the corner of the room,” according to court records.

Melendez then grabbed the victim’s arms and tried to tie them behind her back using a phone cord.

“I’m sorry, I’m not going to hurt you,” the victim said Melendez said during the attack, according to court records.

Melendez then shoved a shirt in the victim’s mouth to stop her from yelling, according to court records. The victim broke free, punched, scratched and kicked Melendez before jumping out of the window.

Officers began searching for Melendez, who has a history of drug abuse, but could not locate him, according to court records. Later, a Waltham police detective provided officers with more possible locations for Melendez, according to court records. Officers found Melendez at 10 Maple St. and arrested him.

Later, officers recovered a laptop Melendez had taken from the home, according to court records.