Melendez was placed under arrest on charges of Possession of a Concealed Firearm and Possession of Stolen Property

ATASCADERO—On Monday, Feb. 1, at approximately 4:17 p.m., the Atascadero Police Department started receiving calls about a fight regarding multiple suspects. The fight took place near El Camino Real and West Mall. 

A caller reported that an adult male and female attacked a group of juveniles, while another caller said that injuries were observed on one person in the fight.

Participants in the fight fled as units were responding. A witness reported some parties running toward Sunken Gardens, while some left in a black Cadillac Escalade.

The Escalade was apprehended on El Camino Real and Traffic Way. 

Video footage of the fight was located and showed 32-year-old Eric Espinoza Melendez of Atascadero and a female assaulting at least two people. Melendez and an adult female were found inside the Escalade, along with ammunition and a concealed, loaded firearm. The firearm was determined to be stolen out of Gilroy, California. 

Melendez was placed under arrest on charges of Possession of a Concealed Firearm and Possession of Stolen Property. He was booked into San Luis Obispo County Jail. The female was identified and released. 

Anyone who witnessed the altercation is encouraged to contact the Atascadero Police Department at (805) 461-5051.