HOUSTON – A man who police say went on a crime spree before assaulting an 86-year-old woman in June is being held without bond.
Melvin Walker, 60, is now charged with murder for a separate incident that happened on June 9, two weeks before.
Walker was already charged with evading arrest, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and felon in possession of a weapon on June 26, records say. Police said he violently assaulted an elderly woman, and part of the attack was caught on camera.
Aggravated robbery caught on camera
According to the Houston Police Department, the burglary happened at around 8:54 a.m. in the 4800 block of Robertson Street.
The doorbell camera appears to show the moment Walker approached the elderly woman, who was standing in her front garden and watering plants.
The woman and the suspect briefly exchanged words before she threw her hands up and attempted to walk backward. The suspect then rushed toward her, putting her in an aggressive chokehold, then dragging her back into her home.
The elderly victim survived the attack, but family members said she has a long road to recovery.
They released a statement to KPRC 2 that read, in part:
“We would like to thank the media for getting the video and story out to the public so promptly, along with the courageous and caring Houstonians that shared the story throughout the multiple social media sites. We believe that this made all of the difference in apprehending the criminal that brutally attacked our mother.
“We are very grateful for the hard work of the Houston Police Department as they piece together the case to bring justice to our mother.
“She has been released from the hospital and is recovering at home, however, she will have to go through extensive physical therapy as part of her rehabilitation from her injuries. Thank you to all of our great city for the continued thoughts and prayers as she recovers.”
Murder charges
A new charge against Walker was filed on June 30 in a separate case.
Charging documents state, “Melvin Wayne Walker, hereinafter styled the Defendant, heretofore on or about June 9, 2023, did then and there unlawfully intend to cause serious bodily injury to Daniel Arguijo, hereinafter called the Complainant, and did cause the death of the Complainant by intentionally and knowingly committing an act clearly dangerous to human life, namely shooting at and in the direction of the Complainant with a deadly weapon, namely a firearm.”
Authorities told KPRC 2′s Rilwan Balogun days after the murder, when detectives returned to the scene of the crime on Cypress Station, one of the residents yelled “Glad you put Melvin in jail!”
Harris County Sheriff officials said witnesses only came forward, identifying Walker, after he was in custody for the assault charge.
Investigators said witnesses positively identified Walker through a police lineup.
“I’m really glad he’s caught, off the streets,” said Michael Arguijo, Daniel’s brother. “It’s a relief knowing that he’s caught, and you know just waiting on the trial and see what comes out of this. Hopefully, justice will prevail for my brother!”
The assault victim’s family shared a brief statement with KPRC 2 on Walker’s murder charge:
“[We] are grateful that 1) my mom is recovering and 2) that he is off the streets and the family of this poor man whose life was taken will get justice!”
What’s next?
Walker remains in Harris County Jail and is expected to appear in court on Wednesday.
Public records show that Walker has been arrested several times for various offenses dating back to 1984. Several of the offenses were dismissed, while others he served time for and was released on parole. Those offenses seemed to escalate over the years, becoming more bold and violent in nature.
In the 80s, Walker was arrested for possession of marijuana, burglary of habitation and aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon.
In the 2000s, he was arrested for felony possession of a weapon, another marijuana possession charge, assault of a family member/ impeding breathing and unauthorized use of a vehicle.
His most recent charges include felony possession of a weapon, evading arrest and detention, unauthorized use of a vehicle, aggravated robbery of a person over 65 years of age or disabled, and murder.
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