A 24-year-old St. Clair man continues to be housed in the Franklin County Jail after being charged in eight separate shoplifting incidents in three cities that took place in about a five-week period.
Jacob M. Nelson has been charged with felony or misdemeanor theft and/or stealing stemming from eight cases between May 6 and June 14. Franklin County Sheriff Gary Toelke told The Missourian on Thursday afternoon that Nelson remains behind bars after being charged in each case.
Law enforcement officials from Washington, Union and Sullivan confirmed that Jacob M. Nelson is facing the charges.
According to documentation and from information from the three city police departments, Nelson was arrested three times in Washington, three times in Union and two times in Sullivan. Officials said six of the eight incidents took place at the Wal-Marts in those cities.
Lt. Patrick Johnson of the Sullivan Police Department said the theft and stealing spree started May 6 when Nelson was arrested for shoplifting at Glik’s Clothing Store. His third target was the Sullivan Wal-Mart on May 12.
On May 7 and June 11, Nelson hit the Washington Wal-Mart, Washington Police Detective Brad Erisman said. On June 8, he was arrested for shoplifting at Radio Shack.
Erisman said Nelson has admitted to all three of those crimes.
The Union Wal-Mart incidents occurred on June 2, 9 and 14. Union Assistant Police Chief Kyle Kitcher confirmed a “man named Jacob Nelson” was involved in all three cases.
Each of the specific charges are:
•May 6, Sullivan: Class A misdemeanor theft/stealing with value of property less than $500.
•May 7, Washington: Class C felony theft/stealing with value of property between $500 and $2,500.
•May 12, Sullivan: Class A misdemeanor theft/stealing with value of property less than $500.
•June 2, Union: Class C felony theft/stealing with value of property between $500 and $2,500.
•June 9, Union: Class A misdemeanor theft/stealing with value of property under $500.
•June 8, Washington: Class C felony theft/stealing with value of property between $500 and $2,500.
•June 11, Washington: Class A misdemeanor with value of property under $500.
•June 14, Union: Class A misdemeanor with value of property under $500.
