Velosity theft suspect waives arraignment

A Cape Girardeau businessman accused of stealing more than $70,000 waived his arraigment Monday.

Jeff Lage, 32, had been scheduled to appear for an initial arraignment April 27, but the date was moved at the request of defense attorney Curtis Poore and prosecuting attorney Thomas Hoeh.

A waiver of preliminary hearing was submitted to Judge Gary Kamp on Monday morning, and the case was bound over to Division II Circuit Court.

Lage was charged earlier this month with theft over $25,000, a class B felony, online court records show.

He is accused of transferring money of his employer, Velosity Electronics, from its Bank of Missouri account to his account to pay Ameren and credit card bills.

Lage also is accused of stealing from Velosity's register. The total amount allegedly stolen is $72,989.25.

The range of punishment is a minimum of five years and a maximum of 15 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections, with no fine allowed.

Pertinent address:

500 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO