Crime
Stephen Chaney, Wanted in the Murder of Claudia Maria Leiva, on the Run After Removing Ankle Monitor and Skipping Court Date
Chaney was charged and arrested in October 2020 and posted bail.
Stephen D. Chaney, who is wanted for the murder of 21-year-old Claudia Maria Leiva, is now on the run after removing his ankle monitor and skipping his court appearance.
Chaney, 28, was charged with murder following the discovery of Leiva’s body near a dumpster at a condominium complex on West Rosamond Street in August 2020.
Authorities reported that Leiva had been fatally shot, and her body remained at the scene for several days before it was found.
Chaney was arrested in October 2020 and later posted bail, awaiting trial.
On October 8, 2024, after the jury for his trial had been selected, Chaney removed his ankle monitor and failed to show up in court.
Authorities are warning the public that the suspect is still at large and is actively being sought.
If anyone has any information about Stephen Chaney’s location, they are urged to contact local law enforcement immediately.
Photos of the suspect have been circulated to assist in the search.
Crime
Security guard Yahaira Melendez charged with murder after shooting inside IHOP restaurant in Center City Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA, PA — A security guard has been arrested and charged with murder following a fatal shooting at a Center City IHOP over the weekend that left a 43-year-old man dead.
The incident occurred shortly after 11 p.m. on Saturday at the IHOP located in the 1300 block of Walnut Street, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.
When officers arrived, they discovered a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. The victim, who police say was unhoused, was transported to Jefferson Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
Investigators report that the victim had been causing a disturbance inside the restaurant prior to the shooting. As security personnel escorted him outside, he allegedly turned and spat on one of the guards.
That guard, identified as 38-year-old Yahaira Melendez, allegedly responded by drawing her firearm and shooting the victim once in the head.
Police say preliminary findings indicate the victim was not armed at the time of the incident.
Melendez, a mother of three, was taken into custody and has been charged with murder and related offenses.
In a statement Melendez’s family expressed shock and disbelief over the situation, writing in part:
“We are shocked and devastated by the tragic events that occurred at the IHOP while she was working security. We know she would never harm anyone unless she felt she had no other choice to protect herself or others.”
The shooting has left nearby workers and residents shaken.
“Escalation — where was the escalation?” asked Karr Anderson, who works next door to the restaurant. “Security guards need to know how to withhold, how to show restraint.”
Philadelphia Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including whether proper security protocols were followed and what led to the use of deadly force.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased pending family notification.