The New Year’s Eve incident in Elmore County, Alabama, unfolded when a 17-year-old girl was targeted in a parking lot. Yordy Centeno Melchor, a 31-year-old Mexican national with a history of five deportations from the United States, allegedly approached the teenager while she was handling a shopping cart. Sheriff Bill Franklin recounted that Melchor seemingly attempted to coax the girl towards his vehicle. Fortunately, a bystander noticed the girl’s apparent distress and intervened, prompting Melchor to flee the scene. This timely intervention likely prevented a more serious incident from occurring.
The Elmore County Sheriff’s Office immediately launched an investigation, issuing a be-on-the-lookout (BOLO) alert for Melchor and his vehicle. A crucial piece of evidence emerged when a search warrant for Melchor’s phone revealed a note detailing his intentions. According to Sheriff Franklin, the note indicated Melchor’s plan to offer the girl $200, further supporting the allegation of attempted kidnapping. While the exact timing of the note’s creation remains unclear, the victim confirmed that Melchor had shown it to her, possibly as a means of communicating his offer.
The investigation benefited from the cooperation of a local store employee who provided surveillance footage of the parking lot incident. This footage enabled authorities to identify Melchor’s vehicle and obtain its license plate number, significantly aiding their search efforts. Days later, in a neighboring county approximately 30 miles north of Elmore, law enforcement officers stopped a vehicle matching the description and confirmed the license plate number. The driver, identified as Melchor, also matched the suspect’s description, leading to his arrest.
The arrest of Melchor, a five-time deportee, underscores the complexities of immigration enforcement and border security. Sheriff Franklin reiterated his department’s commitment to cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), emphasizing their shared responsibility in maintaining public safety. Authorities are continuing their investigation into Melchor’s history, aiming to understand the circumstances surrounding his previous deportations and determine if he has been involved in similar incidents elsewhere.
Following Melchor’s arrest and the release of his mugshot, a local woman came forward with potentially relevant information. She reported seeing a man resembling Melchor in the women’s restroom of a Walmart store. This new lead is being investigated to determine if any further charges are warranted. Melchor’s known ties to San Antonio, Texas, and Shelby County, Alabama, along with his frequent travel between the two locations to visit family, are also being considered as part of the ongoing investigation. The authorities are urging any other potential victims to come forward, as this could shed more light on Melchor’s activities and lead to further charges.
The incident has understandably caused concern within the Elmore County community. Sheriff Franklin described his team as dedicated professionals committed to ensuring the safety of the county’s residents. He noted that while Elmore County is neither particularly large nor small, crimes of this nature are relatively uncommon in the area. This fact underscores the unsettling nature of the alleged attempted kidnapping and the community’s collective desire to see justice served. The ongoing investigation, coupled with the cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE, aims to provide answers and accountability in this case.
