Photos courtesy Riverside County Sheriff’s Department
Nickolas Melendez, 27, of Cabazon, one of two men who pleaded guilty to burglary of the Mountain Center Market in September, did not appear in court for his sentencing Thursday, April 28.
Melendez and Ryan Mason, 25, of Hemet, were charged with burglary of the Mountain Center Market within days of the crime and both men pleaded guilty to the burglary in March. Their sentencing had been deferred.
Melendez’s sentencing was scheduled for Thursday, April 28. The court has forfeited his bail bond and issued a bench warrant for his arrest for failure to appear. The new bond is $100,000.
Mason, who also pleaded guilty, had undergone an evaluation for possible residential substance abuse treatment prior to the felony settlement conference. Judge Mark Mandio requested that Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Corrections Division conduct the assessment. As a result of the report, Mason’s sentencing was scheduled for Sept. 26, while he completes a program.
The judge also ordered that pending enrollment and completion of the program, Mason may not be released pursuant to the agreement with the federal government regarding jail population levels.
