Haverhill police make arrest in double homicide

HAVERHILL (AP) - A 20-year-old man has been ordered held without bail after what prosecutors say was a botched robbery that killed two, including one of the suspect's partners.

Juan Carlos Sanchez of Haverhill pleaded not guilty Monday to charges including two counts of murder.

The Eagle Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/MVLNiq) that according to court documents, Sanchez was among three masked men who stormed 19-year-old William Melchionda's Haverhill apartment July 23, looking to steal cash and guns they thought were there as part of a drug-dealing operation.

The documents say Melchionda was fatally shot trying to leave a bedroom. Sanchez also allegedly told a witness he mistakenly shot his accomplice, 20-year-old Anddy Guzman. Two others were shot, but survived.

The third man remains at large.

Sanchez was captured Sunday after trying to flee police through woods, then attempting escape in a car.

PHOTO CREDIT: PHOTO CREDIT: Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fabliaux/)

Cox Media Group