Police arrest 57-year-old man over alleged gun incident at city night club

Lebanon City Police announced Saturday morning, Aug. 23, charges against 57-year-old Melvin Robles of Lebanon for a gun incident alleged to have taken place just hours before.

Police said that at approximately 1:45 a.m. on Aug. 23, they responded to a nightclub in the 000 block of North 9th Street for a report of gun shots fired.

According to an affidavit of probable cause filed with the criminal complaint, the location of the incident was MamaJuana Lounge at 39 North 9th Street.

Upon arrival, police said they discovered an individual had fired a shotgun at the front door of the establishment. Another person had sustained a minor injury, which police said they determined to have been caused by shattering glass.

According to a news release, an investigation was conducted by the “B” platoon and city detectives. Police said the investigation revealed a club patron, identified as Robles, had been removed from the establishment due to behavioral issues. Police said that while being removed, Robles threatened to return later.

Police said Robles was located and placed under arrest just two hours after the initial call.

The affidavit says that Robles had arrived around 1 a.m. to the club with two friends before being asked to leave at approximately 1:24 a.m.

While being escorted out of the club he told security “I’ll be back” and “you’ll see,” according to the affidavit. Robles left the club and then a short time later a security member heard banging at the front door. The security member saw the same male that had been kicked out of the club retrieve a rifle from the back driver’s seat of a white SUV parked out front. The security member told police that the man then walked toward the front door; moments later a gunshot was heard.

The affidavit says that Robles was identified as the subject who had been asked to leave the club using surveillance video. Police also identified Roble’s white Lexus SUV parked near the courthouse. Officers found Robles at approximately 3:30 a.m. Saturday walking near his residence and in possession of his Lexus keys, according to the affidavit.

According to court records, Robles has been charged with two felonies, aggravated assault and discharge of a firearm into an occupied structure, and two misdemeanors, recklessly endangering another person and simple assault.

Following his arrest, Roble was remanded to Lebanon County Correctional Facility in lieu of bail, which was set at $250,000 in a preliminary arraignment in front of Magisterial District Judge David R. Warner Jr.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 4, 8:30 a.m., in front of Magisterial District Judge Maria M. Dissinger.

Anyone with information on the incident are asked to contact Detective Derek Underkoffler or submit a tip through Crimewatch.

Editor’s note: This article was updated Monday with additional information from the affidavit of probable cause.