Ex-Convict Allegedly Terrorizes Neighbors in West Village

A violent ex-convict has reportedly turned life into a nightmare for his neighbors in a luxury West Village building. Residents allege he has transformed his apartment into a “hobby house,” frequently making threats against them.

Melvin DeJesus is said to have illegally moved into an elderly man’s rent-controlled apartment on Bleecker Street last summer. The man passed away later that year, yet DeJesus reportedly refused to leave.

One neighbor, who recently rented a two-bedroom unit for $6,700 a month, expressed fear, stating, “He says he’s going to kill the tenants and he’s ready to die.” The man, wanting to remain anonymous, fears retaliation from DeJesus, who has a lengthy and troubling criminal history, including a 1987 attempted murder charge.

The building’s owner, the Brodsky Organization, is suing DeJesus for $5.5 million while also pursuing an eviction that may take months to resolve.

During a particularly intense encounter last week, DeJesus reportedly shouted, “You started a war. I’ll end it!” This led a resident to call the police after finding a 5-gallon gas tank outside his door.

In another alarming incident, DeJesus allegedly threatened, “I’m going to throw you off your mother’s roof.” Despite his aggressive behavior, he claims the apartment is rightfully his, insisting his late roommate was his partner of 30 years.

DeJesus stated, “Despite a 31-year history with my spouse/companion, the landlord is intentionally lying about my status in this rent-controlled apartment,” adding that he has received mail there for over 30 years. He did not respond to requests for comment.

Another resident revealed an even more sinister situation, saying, “They’re threatening me with knives and other weapons.” The tenant expressed hope that it wasn’t true.

DeJesus’ criminal record includes a plea deal for the attempted murder charge, for which he served two to four years in prison, along with a 1993 conviction for drug trafficking that resulted in up to 10 years behind bars.

“I’m totally sold on this being the new normal,” a tenant remarked. “He is a terrorist,” they added, emphasizing DeJesus’ violent tendencies.

Complaints about disturbances began last summer, with police responding to a call where DeJesus allegedly proclaimed, “I have a knife and I’m ready to use it,” during a confrontation in a stairwell lasting nearly an hour. Two individuals were taken to the hospital, one with a minor arm injury.

Despite multiple 911 calls about DeJesus’s erratic behavior, police actions were often limited. One resident recounted, “Sometimes he changes his tone when the cops arrive. He seems to know just how far he can go without getting arrested.”

Another resident voiced their discomfort with the situation, saying, “I don’t feel comfortable here. I don’t want to be killed.”

Neighbors mentioned that DeJesus had been renting with John Grefenecker, an elderly man in a rent-controlled unit who lived there for decades until his death in October.

The building’s owner only discovered Grefenecker’s passing when DeJesus appeared in court to address an eviction issue, having claimed to be a long-time resident of the apartment. Residents were surprised by their relationship, often witnessing loud arguments between the two.

One tenant recounted a frightening encounter, saying, “Once, I got into an argument with the old man. He said, ‘I’m going to push you down the stairs.’”

According to the lawsuit, DeJesus has cluttered the apartment with junk and has allowed individuals frequently coming and going, making the environment increasingly unsafe. Some of these visitors have reportedly needed medical attention following police welfare checks in January.

The Brodsky Organization, which has faced accusations of being a slumlord, didn’t respond to inquiries about the situation. One resident mentioned considering moving due to the death threats they’ve received, stating, “Nobody wants to deal with this.”