Paramus, NJ – The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office has announced the arrest of Melvin Thomas, a Paramus resident, on several serious charges, including murder and desecration of human remains.
The arrest followed a collaborative investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, led by Acting Chief Matthew Finck, and the Paramus Police Department, under Chief Robert M. Guidetti.
The investigation was initiated after the Paramus Police Department received a call about a possible homicide at 693 Bruce Drive, Paramus, NJ, on Friday, February 16, at approximately 5:40 PM. Officers who arrived at the scene found 61-year-old Manuel V. Thomas dead in the basement with multiple stab wounds. Melvin Thomas was quickly identified as a suspect and was taken into custody in Paramus.
Melvin Thomas faces charges of first-degree murder, second-degree desecration of human remains, second-degree hindering, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and fourth-degree possession of a weapon.
Following his arrest, Thomas was detained at the Bergen County Jail, awaiting his initial court appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, NJ.