Andrew Truelove, who had been living on the streets and cycling through the criminal justice system, is now accused of breaching security at Rockefeller Center and directing racial slurs at NBC "Today" show co-host Craig Melvin.
Truelove, 41, had a history of offenses including stealing signs from Sandy Hook memorial sites and child abduction. A 2023 profile in The Times detailed his struggles with homelessness in Torrance, California, as he sought housing, food stamps, and healthcare. His journey has now led him to New York, where he faces hate crime charges following an incident that occurred while "Today" show staff were already coping with the kidnapping of host Savannah Guthrie’s mother.
His half-sister, who spoke anonymously, described Truelove as severely mentally ill, suffering from schizophrenia and refusing medication. She stated he had been living in New York City subway tunnels, preferring them to the streets. Truelove was arraigned on charges of burglary and menacing as hate crimes, which could result in a 15-year prison sentence if convicted. The criminal complaint alleges he entered a restricted area of Rockefeller Plaza and, upon seeing Melvin, uttered a racial slur and asked for Al Roker. Following his arrest, Truelove reportedly told Melvin he had always wanted to use the slur against a Black celebrity.
Truelove's mental health issues have significantly impacted his ability to maintain employment, manage finances, and secure housing. His half-sister noted his erratic behavior and irritability, stemming from his mental condition, and mentioned his negative interactions with some Black individuals he encountered while homeless, despite having received help from others. His past includes attending an elite private school in Virginia, from which he later claimed bullying contributed to his behavioral difficulties. He was dismissed from the University of Virginia in 2003 for threatening fellow students and staff.
His legal troubles began at 18 with a misdemeanor assault conviction for making threats. At 21, he was sentenced to four years for abduction after grabbing an 8-year-old girl's backpack while carrying a wrench; a judge acknowledged his mental health issues in the sentencing. Truelove himself offered a different account, claiming he intended to threaten bullies and that his interaction with the girl was to ensure her safety. He stated he had been under psychiatric care for over two years at the time. A psychiatrist testified he exhibited symptoms of bipolar disorder, including depression and hallucinations.
Truelove's criminal record expanded in Virginia with charges of trespassing and disorderly conduct. In 2013, he was charged with throwing a traffic cone at a moving vehicle. He later confessed to stealing two Sandy Hook memorial signs, believing the 2012 massacre was a hoax, and was sentenced to at least a year in prison. After arriving in Los Angeles in April 2023, his attempts to launch a website failed, and he experienced homelessness, moving between shelters and facilities. He was expelled from multiple shelters due to rule violations and expressing violent intentions. Following a Times article about his situation, a shelter assisted his return to Virginia, where he pleaded no contest to property destruction in October 2023 and served 90 days.
His half-sister stated he then traveled to Miami, finding it inhospitable, and faced further arrests for minor property damage and petty theft, reportedly hoping to be jailed to escape street challenges. After serving several months, he entered a psychiatric facility in Baltimore but was later discharged. He eventually traveled to New York City, utilizing shelters and psychiatric facilities. A prior admission to a psychiatric facility ended after an altercation, leading to several months in jail. Over the past 23 years, Truelove has accumulated over 40 charges and citations, including various offenses in New York related to trespassing, endangerment, and assault.
Recently, Truelove reported being denied assistance after a brief mental health status exam in Brooklyn. At his arraignment in New York, he did not enter a plea. A judge set bail at $10,000 and issued a temporary order of protection for Craig Melvin and Al Roker. His half-sister expressed that incarceration might offer him stability with a bed and meals, acknowledging his severe illness prevents him from living independently on the streets.
