ST. GEORGE — Identities of two suspects, one wanted for murder, who led police units on a high-speed pursuit that ended near Mesquite, Nevada on Dec. 30 have been released.
North Las Vegas Police Department Public Information Officer Alexander Cuevas released the identities of the driver and the passenger of a Ford Fusion that led multiple police agencies on a high-speed chase from County Road 215 onto the northbound I-15 freeway. The high-speed chase ended when Mesquite Police Department spiked the suspect’s tires at mile marker 117.
Nicholas Brandon VanDuren, 32, and a female passenger, Dominique Melerott, 38, were arrested at that time.
VanDuren had a warrant for second-degree murder out of Lacey, Washington. Police were unsure of Melerott’s role in the murder.
“At first, we believed she was one of the murder suspects, but Lacey confirmed that it was only one suspect,” Cuevas said.
Cuevas said the Lacey Police Department contacted them and notified them of the suspect possibly being in the area, which led to the high-speed pursuit.
VanDuren and Melerott were booked into the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
VanDuren was charged with two felonies of possession of a schedule I controlled substance and driver disobeying a peace officer while endangering others. He was also charged with misdemeanors of use or possession of drug paraphernalia and displaying fictitious vehicle registration.
Melerott was charged with a gross misdemeanor of attempting to destroy or conceal evidence.
According to a media release from the Lacey Police Department, VanDuren was being sought for a killing that occurred on Aug. 30, 2022.
The victim was identified as 36-year-old Sean Shay, who was found unconscious in a parking lot behind a hotel in Lacey after a 911 call regarding a physical disturbance. Shay died later at the hospital.
VanDuren and his twin brother, Alexander VanDuren, were identified as the suspects during the investigation. Alexander VanDuren was captured on Dec. 14.
Nicholas VanDuren’s extradition to Lacey, Washington, will be decided by the prosecuting attorneys’ offices for both Clark County and Lacey.
Cuevas had high praise for the Mesquite Police Department.
“We greatly appreciate their help in this pursuit,” Cuevas said. “Without them, we couldn’t have done it.”
This report is based on statements from court records, police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
Photo Gallery
Media release from Lacey Police Department seeking the VanDuran twins for murder in Lacey, Wash., Dec. 13, 2022 | Image courtesy of Lacey Police Department, St. George News
Media release from Lacey Police Department seeking the VanDuran twins for murder in Lacey, Wash., Dec. 13, 2022 | Image courtesy of Lacey Police Department, St. George News
The booking photos of Nicholas VanDuran and Dominique Melerott after a high-speed chase on Interstate 15 at mm 117 in Mesquite, Nevada, Dec. 30, 2022 | Photo courtesy of NLVPD, St. George News
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