ST. LOUIS, MO  (December 02, 2025) — A St. Louis jury on Tuesday found Fidel Angel Melchor, 35, guilty of first-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools.

On March 15, 2025, Melchor entered the home of two women, ages 58 and 34, in the 3600 block of Michigan Avenue in the City’s Gravois Park neighborhood. Evidence showed that officers responded to a report that an individual had kicked in a basement door and remained inside the residence. Officers arrived and saw Melchor attempting to unlock a screen door to leave. They detained him at the scene. The two residents, who did not know Melchor, reported that they were upstairs when their home alarm activated. Officers observed forced-entry damage to the rear basement door and located a backpack containing pliers, a wrench, vice grips, and other tools.

“Home is the one place every person should feel unquestionably safe,” said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. “When someone forces their way inside, it shatters that sense of security, and this verdict reaffirms that our community will stand firmly against those who violate it.”

Melchor was on probation for first-degree assault at the time of this incident. Sentencing is scheduled for January 7, 2026.

Assistant Circuit Attorney Blake Harting, General Felonies Unit Supervisor Rob Huq, and Assistant Circuit Attorney Charlie Heinze prosecuted the case.

The defendant’s case number is 2522-CR00823-01.