James Carlos Melendez: Orange County Sheriff's Department)
An Anaheim was arrested Wednesday after going on a random nine-minute crime spree that left two women hospitalized.
Authorities say James Carlos Melendrez, 25, got into a fight near a Salvation Army store around 5:00 p.m, then fled to an apartment nearby. After being confronted by a resident, he jumped into the backyard of a house across the street where he smashed a back window and made his way inside the home that was occupied by a mother and her two daughters.
Melendrez grabbed a knife and started chasing the mother, catching up with her as she tripped, then stabbed her multiple times, officials said.
A group of people in a BMW drove by Melendrez stabbing the victim and got out to help. Melendrez then began chasing the good Samaritans with the knife as they fled on foot and then stole their car.
He allegedly swerved in and out of oncoming traffic, then drove onto a curb and struck a woman in her 50s walking along sidewalk, authorities said, critically injuring her before colliding with another vehicle.
The suspect ran to a nearby mobile-home lot and tried to break into more residences, failing miserably. Melendrez then moved to the street again where he tried to carjack multiple drivers.
Deputies finally arrived to make the arrest when a passing bicyclist pepper-sprayed the suspect.
Read more at the OC Register.