Gun, Wallet and Cash Stolen From Unlocked Vehicle; Suspect Charged
- John Eads
- Jul 27
- 2 min read
ELSBERRY, Mo. — An Elsberry man is facing multiple felony charges after a handgun, wallet and cash were stolen from an unlocked vehicle on Highway B before the victim's debit card was used at two local gas stations.
Trent Irvin Melcher of Elsberry
Charges
Burglary in the Second Degree
Stealing a Firearm
Stealing Property Under $750
Two counts of Fraudulent Use of a Credit or Debit Device
A Lincoln County resident reported the theft after discovering several items missing from an unlocked vehicle parked outside a residence on Highway B.
The victim told deputies the vehicle had been left unlocked overnight. When the theft was discovered, a Taurus TX .22-caliber pistol, a wallet containing a debit card, Social Security card and other personal identification, along with approximately $200 in cash, had been taken.
Before the victim could cancel the debit card, it was used during two purchases at local gas stations totaling $109.45.
Security video from those transactions showed a suspect wearing a distinctive black hat. Deputies were able to identify a vehicle connected to the purchases, leading them to a Lincoln County motel on July 25.
When deputies contacted Melcher, they located the black hat seen on surveillance video. A search also uncovered the victim's wallet concealed inside the passenger side of the vehicle along with .22-caliber ammunition matching the caliber of the stolen handgun.
During questioning, Melcher admitted taking property from the unlocked vehicle and using the victim's debit card. He also admitted discarding the wallet after taking the cash. However, he denied taking or possessing the stolen firearm.
The handgun had not been recovered as of the filing of the charges.
Melcher was arrested and transported to the Lincoln County Jail, where he remains in custody pending further court proceedings.
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Primary Sources
Probable Cause Statement
Lincoln County Circuit Court Records
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office
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