MARION, Ill. – A rural Illinois man was arrested Monday for a recent spate of crimes in Williamson County, including stealing gasoline and possession of stolen property.

A spokesperson for the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were notified of a theft at the Energy Police Department’s maintenance garage in the early morning hours of February 19.

Energy police said a person was caught on surveillance video just after 4:15 a.m. stealing gas from a gas tank belonging to the village. When police arrived to confront the person, they fled in a UTV. One officer attempted to pursue the UTV, but the driver went off-road and escaped.

Energy police told county investigators that on February 6, a man driving a side by side cut a lock on another village gas tank and stole gasoline.

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On the night of February 24, the Herrin Police Department was called to the Snow Power Gym for a report of a UTV parked on the property. When officers arrived, the UTV sped off and the driver evaded police again.

After reviewing camera footage and photos from Herrin and Energy police, county investigators identified the UTV driver as Jordan L. Lewis of Creal Springs, and claimed he was the same man who stole the gasoline earlier in the month.

On February 26, Williamson County deputies received word that Lewis was selling stolen property at a home on Williamson Street.

Aerial surveillance was used in multiple locations in the county to help authorities locate Lewis’ UTV in the 18000 block of Mauseyville Road in Creal Springs.

Deputies went to the property and spoke with Lewis, who admitted being the man on the UTV and to stealing the gas.

Authorities obtained a search warrant for the property and discovered the UTV Lewis was driving had previously been reported stolen. They also found a new Honda CFR 50 cc dirt bike with the sales tags still on it. Lewis admitted to stealing the bike. In addition, deputies found a Kawasaki ATV that had been spray painted and was believed to be stolen. Lewis also had a double-barreled, sawed-off shotgun on the property.

Lewis was taken into custody.

The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office cited Lewis for possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, criminal damage to state-supported property, two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, unlawful use of a weapon, theft, two counts of driving while license is revoked, and two counts of operating an ATV on a roadway.

Investigators expect to identify additional suspects and new charges to be filed.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office at 618-997-6541 or via the Submit A Tip option on the Williamson County Sheriff’s app.

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