Deputies arrest felon believed to be the suspect in several thefts

Cole County deputies arrested Nicholas Veltrop on Wednesday afternoon after officers believed him to be a suspect in several thefts in Cole and Boone Counties.

According to the probable cause statement, when officers made contact with Veltrop, he immediately asked if he could smoke a cigarette before he went to jail.

Deputies told Veltrop they wanted to talk about some criminal activities, when Veltrop said it was all him and his girlfriend had nothing to do with it.

Veltrop also admitted to deputies that he had recently stolen a pair of boots from a store in Columbia and told officers they were in his RV.

Veltrop continued to admit to crimes and said he had meth in his book bag. Officers searched the bag and found meth and a handgun.

Veltrop told officers the gun belonged to his girlfriend. According to the probable cause statement, Veltrop is a convicted felon and is not allowed to have firearms.

Deputies said Veltrop was recently accused of stealing a woman’s wallet from First Presbyterian Church in Cole County. The victim said she learned that one of her credit cards was fraudulently used to purchase tools in the amount of $1,926.

The victim also told officers that someone had broken into her house and took the shipment of tools.

Deputies said they searched Veltrop’s RV and found multiple tools he had purchased with the stolen credit card. Officers estimated the value of the items to be more than $500.

Veltrop was charged with burglary, stealing, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon and fraudulent use of a credit/debit card.