20-year-old wanted for assaulting, abducting 16-year-old in Leesburg: police
Joel Hernandez-Melendez, 20.
LEESBURG, Va. - Police are searching for a 20-year-old man who was accused of abducting and assaulting a 16-year-old girl in Leesburg, Virginia.
The Leesburg Police Department says they are searching for Joel Hernandez-Melendez, 20 for one count of abduction and one count of assault and battery.
Investigators say that during a fight Friday night at a home in the 0-99 block of Fort Evans Road NE, Hernandez-Melendez assaulted Yelsi Mendez-Chicas, 16, of Leesburg and abducted her by force.
Police announced on Sunday that Mendez-Chicas was safely located, but they are still searching Hernandez-Melendez. Investigators did not indicate where Mendez-Chicas was found.
Yelsi Mendez-Chicas, 16, of Leesburg.
Hernandez-Melendez is described as being 5 feet 8 inches tall, 150 lbs., with brown eyes, and black hair. He was last seen Friday evening wearing a blue shirt and khaki pants.
According to investigators, Hernandez-Melendez and Mendez-Chicas knew each other prior to the incident. They are still working to determine what led up to the abduction and assault.
Anyone with information on the incident or Hernandez-Melendez's whereabouts is asked to call 703-771-4500.