Journal & Topics Media Group

Robert Melko, Des Plaines Business Owner, Dies 5 Months After Attack


Funeral services were held by longtime Des Plaines resident and local business owner Robert Melko, 62, who died on Tuesday, Oct. 9, five months after he was allegedly run down on his home’s driveway by a former employee. The cause of death had not been released as of Thursday, Oct. 11. Authorities are awaiting results of a toxicology report. Depending on those results, the man suspected of running over Melko with his car in early May could have attempted murder charges filed against him upgraded.

Melko, who also ran unsuccessfully for 2d ward alderman many years ago, was the owner of Bishop Plumbing in Des Plaines.

Paul Metz, 45, the Lake in the Hills man accused of trying to kill Melko in May, appeared at the Skokie courthouse Oct. 9 to face 13 felony charges, ranging from attempted murder to aggravated battery and aggravated fleeing of police. The case was continued until 9:30 a.m. Nov. 14 at the Skokie Courthouse, according to the office of the Cook County Clerk of Courts.

Visitation for Melko was held on Sunday, Oct. 14 at Oehler Funeral Home in Des Plaines. Funeral services were held at Oehler on Monday, Oct. 15.

According to a friend, Melko had returned to work on a part-time basis after undergoing extensive hospital care following the May incident.

Metz, a former employee of Melko, was arrested by Des Plaines police May 4 and is in custody at Cook County Jail, where he is being held without bail.

“The release of the defendant would pose a real and present threat to the physical safety of the victims and to the public,” said a petition for denial of bail.

According to police reports, Melko was standing in his Oakton Street driveway when Metz ran him over, causing a shattered pelvis and a lower vertebrae injury.

Police believe Metz lured Melko out of his home on the evening of May 1 by honking his car’s horn. Moments after the two men exchanged words, Metz reportedly accelerated his car and ran over Melko.

During the incident, Metz was allegedly wearing a mask fashioned out of a T-shirt. Plastic ties and a box cutter were also found at the scene. Metz allegedly drove up to approximately 90 m.p.h. while fleeing police. The car crashed minutes later into a home at Oakton Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.

Several years ago, Metz was an employee of Melko at Bishop Plumbing, where he worked as a plumber. Court reports showed that he has been in plumbing for 27 years.

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