The individual charged with a hate crime involving “Today” co-host Craig Melvin at NBC’s Manhattan studios has a criminal record that stretches back over 20 years, including past accusations of attempted kidnapping and trespassing, as court documents reveal.
Andrew Truelove, 41, was taken into custody by New York City police last week after reports indicated he entered the lawn outside Studio 1A at Rockefeller Center and approached Melvin.
Footage from the show on that day shows a man fitting Truelove’s description in the background at 8:03 AM. This same individual appears again at 8:05 AM, where another person seems to place a backpack in the bushes outside. Truelove was seen in the vicinity until 8:34 AM, when actress Anne Hathaway was present to promote her film, The Odyssey.
Truelove was arrested around 8:57 AM in an area of the building that’s restricted to the public, suspected of directing a racial slur at Melvin. Initially expressing a desire to see Al Roker, he ended up confronting Melvin instead.
In October 2007, Truelove faced accusations of trying to abduct an 8-year-old from a school in Norfolk, Virginia. He was convicted and received a 10-year prison sentence, with six years suspended, followed by a decade of probation, per court records.
Interestingly, a psychiatrist had testified that Truelove exhibited symptoms of bipolar disorder and had discontinued his medication, contributing to a significant weight gain prior to the incident.
His criminal history includes charges related to trespassing, criminal damage to property, bomb threats, and numerous probation violations. In 2023, he received a 90-day sentence for property damage. Back in 2014, he faced arrest for allegedly stealing a sign from a memorial dedicated to the Sandy Hook Elementary School victims.
Truelove now faces charges for felony theft and misdemeanor menacing linked to the incident with Melvin. A spokesperson for “Today” confirmed that an unauthorized person accessed a restricted area near Studio 1A, approached Melvin, and was swiftly apprehended by security before law enforcement took over. No injuries occurred, and the show is cooperating fully with ongoing investigations into the incident.
Records from New York courts indicate that an individual sharing Truelove’s last name has pending cases, including assault charges and additional misconduct related to a city transit system.
Currently, Truelove remains in a New York City jail, held on a $10,000 bail.
Meanwhile, co-worker Savannah Guthrie connects to another story involving her mother, Nancy, who has been missing since February 1. There are theories circulating online regarding a potential link between the two cases, though Truelove has not linked himself to any law enforcement inquiries concerning the kidnapping. He doesn’t match the description of a masked figure seen at Guthrie’s home.
Despite various investigations, a clear connection hasn’t been established, and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department alongside the FBI has not issued further comments.
Truelove is scheduled for a court appearance on Wednesday, although it remains unclear when he arrived in New York City.
