Karina Barriga Albring

News Editor

Authorities arrested a Keene State College student early on Thursday morning, March 28 after he allegedly bit another student on the lip in Randall Hall. Angel Melendez was charged with simple assault and one count of criminal contempt, Keene Police Department Lieutenant Shane Maxfield said.

According to the police report, at the moment of the attack, Melendez appeared to be intoxicated. “We don’t know if it was alcohol or some type of drug he had consumed, but his behavior indicated he was impaired,” Maxfield stated. KPD did not find any drugs at the scene of the assault.

According to the police report, KPD received a call from Randall Hall around 4:30 a.m. “We responded to the call and talked to the victim. Apparently, the boy tried to initiate a romantic encounter and the girl rejected him. Then he bit her and ran away,” Maxfield said.

The victim was taken to the hospital for injuries.

Melendez then ran out of the freshmen residential hall and entered a house on Winchester Street, according to the KPD report. He was arrested on Thursday morning and taken to the Cheshire County Jail. Melendez is due in court on April 4.

Melendez has had previous encounters with KPD. Prior to this assault, he was charged with possession of drugs and receiving stolen property. He was out on bail by the District 8 Court in Keene. “We are charging him with one count of criminal contempt because he was out on bail and was supposed to behave and not commit any more crimes,” Maxfield said.

Randall Hall Residential Director, Casey Wilson said she was not the RD that responded to the call on Thursday. She chose not to comment on the assault. Wilson said, “Due to privacy reasons, we cannot provide any information.”

More information will be provided when available.

Karina Barriga Albring can be contacted at kbarriga@keene-equinox.com