Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Women Step Forward with "Creepy" Stories About Upstate Man


By

Jen Chung

Published Dec 9, 2008

Modified Dec 9, 2008


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Jen Chung

Published Dec 9, 2008

Modified Dec 9, 2008


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

2008_12_mele2.jpgAfter the State Police asked women to come forward with any information about a man suspected in the disappearance of missing Brooklyn woman Laura Garza, "stories of creepy run-ins" with Michael Mele are emerging. According the Daily News, the 23-year-old, "in most of the attacks...followed women to their cars and then masturbated in front of them." He was convicted of doing that in NY State and may face charges in NJ and Connecticut. Garza was last seen with Mele, apparently meeting him at nightclub Marquee. Investigators found blood in Mele's car and there's a large piece of carpet missing from his apartment in Wallkill. Mele has not been charged yet—he's being held on a probation violation.

Tagged

disappearance

laura garza

marquee

michael mele

missing


Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

Dump truck driver hits and kills cyclist on 34th Street in Midtown, NYPD says

It's the latest in a string of hit-and-run deaths in the city in recent months.

By

Liam Quigley

Published Sep 28, 2026 at 4:15 p.m. ET


New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ

The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.

By

Arya Sundaram

News

New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ

The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.

By

Arya Sundaram


A Brooklyn jail cell filled with smoke. The emergency button failed, a lawyer said.

By

Samantha Max

Crews launch tunnel machines to dig first new Hudson River rail tunnels since 1910

By

Michael Sol Warren

NYC nor’easter dries up after weather service reports minor flooding

By

Ramsey Khalifeh


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .