FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A man has been arrested and charged with stealing and later selling the car of an elderly South Florida couple who were fatally shot in March, authorities said.
Maurice Newson, 30, of Davie, was arrested in May on a warrant for charges of grand theft auto and dealing in stolen property, according to court records. Newson, who had been in a relationship with one of the victims’ granddaughters, pleaded not guilty to the charges last month and was released on bond.
Major and Claudette Melvin, ages 89 and 85 respectively, had owned a 2014 Ford Fusion, which was missing when Fort Lauderdale police responded to the deceased couple’s home on March 22. Investigators asked for the public’s help in locating the vehicle, and it was eventually found about two weeks after the double homicide.
Newson’s attorney, Jeremy McLymont, said Fort Lauderdale police have been investigating the case for over three months and have not uncovered any evidence to charge Newson with murder. McLymont also said he and his client haven’t received any evidence from prosecutors related to the vehicle theft.
Surveillance video at the Melvin home shows someone arrive in the early morning hours of March 22 and leave a few minutes later. Several hours later, video shows the Melvins’ car being driven away from the house. The vehicle was taken north and left in a commuter train parking lot, where a tow truck picked it up later that day.
A witness told police they spotted the car in a tow company parking lot on April 4, according to court records. A tow truck driver told police he had bought the car for $200 from a man later identified in a photo lineup as Newson.
The detective who wrote the warrant for Newson’s vehicle theft charges said there was probable cause to believe that the suspects in the vehicle theft were also involved in the homicides.
The Melvins had been married for 60 years. He was a retired backhoe operator, while she had worked in housekeeping at a hospital. They had 28 grandchildren.
A man is facing charges for stealing and selling the car of an elderly couple who were involved in a fatal shooting. The incident, which took place in a quiet neighborhood, has shocked the community and raised concerns about the safety of elderly residents.
The elderly couple, who were in their 80s, were involved in a fatal shooting in their own home. The suspect, who has been identified as a 25-year-old man, allegedly broke into their home and shot them both before stealing their car. The couple’s bodies were discovered by a neighbor who called the police.
The suspect was later arrested after he was found trying to sell the stolen car. He is now facing charges of murder, burglary, and theft. The motive behind the crime is still unclear, but authorities believe it may have been a random act of violence.
The incident has left the community in shock and disbelief. Many residents have expressed their concern for the safety of elderly individuals living alone in the neighborhood. Some have called for increased security measures and patrols to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
Elderly individuals are often seen as vulnerable targets for criminals due to their age and perceived lack of physical strength. It is important for communities to come together and support their elderly residents by looking out for each other and reporting any suspicious activity to the authorities.
The tragic events that unfolded in this quiet neighborhood serve as a reminder of the importance of community vigilance and support. It is crucial for neighbors to look out for one another and take steps to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents, especially those who may be more vulnerable.
As the legal proceedings against the suspect continue, the community is left to mourn the loss of the elderly couple and come to terms with the senseless violence that occurred in their midst. It is a sobering reminder of the need for unity and vigilance in the face of such tragedies.
