CREAL SPRINGS – A Creal Springs man was cited for multiple offenses after Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies arrested him Monday for allegedly criminal activity across Williamson County.
According to the sheriff’s office, Jordan L. Lewis was cited 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 Revoked, and two counts of Operating an ATV on Roadway. He was taken to and lodged in the Williamson County Jail.
The sheriff’s office says around 4:20 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 19, they were notified by the Energy Police Department of a theft from their maintenance garage. Sheriff’s investigators responded and processed the scene.
Investigators from both departments began a review of events that happened over this month which included a white man driving a side by side cutting a lock on the Village of Energy gas tank and stealing gas just after 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, and someone stealing gas from the village’s gas tank around 4:20 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 19. That person was caught on camera, and when officers arrived on scene, the suspect fled, backing the UTV into a barbed wire fence and fleeing west on College Street in Energy.
An Energy officer attempted to pursue, however, the suspect departed the roadway and escaped. There was one additional theft of fuel, however, the specific date of occurrence is unknown. As a result of evidence obtained, the sheriff’s office expanded the scope of the investigation countywide.
On Saturday evening, Feb. 24, Herrin Police responded to Snow Power, located at 1707 S. Park Ave., to a report of a UTV parked on the property. Upon arrival the UTV fled driving through parking lots, down Park Avenue, and through residential yards. After reviewing in car camera footage, it is believed the UTV and suspect are the same UTV used during the Energy thefts and the Herrin pursuit.
Utilizing video and photos obtained from both the Herrin Police Department and the Energy Police Department, sheriff’s investigators were able to identify the suspect as Jordan L. Lewis of Creal Springs.
On Monday, February 26, 2024, Sheriff’s deputies received information that Lewis had been traveling from a home in rural Creal Springs to Hurst on the UTV and was believed to be selling stolen property at a home on Williamson Street. Investigators identified several locations of interest throughout Williamson County including locations in rural Creal Springs and Hurst.
Investigators conducted aerial surveillance of these locations from a fixed wing aircraft.
A review of the digital imagery captured during the aerial surveillance located a UTV believed to be in the possession of Lewis in the 18000 block of Mauseyville Road in Creal Springs.
Investigators and deputies, including two ATV patrol units, traveled to the Mauseyville Road home and saw several ATVs, UTVs, and the suspect on the property.
The UTV was surrounded and investigators spoke to Lewis. Lewis admitted to being the suspect driving the UTV in Herrin and also the suspect involved in the Energy gas theft.
A search warrant was obtained and resulted in the discovery of the following: the Polaris UTV Lewis operated in the thefts had been previously reported stolen, a double barreled sawed off shotgun under 18 inches, a new Honda CFR 50cc dirt bike with manufacturer’s sales tags still attached – Lewis stated it was stolen, and a Kawasaki ATV which had been spray painted and is believed to be stolen.
Lewis was then cited and taken to jail.
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Energy Police Department, Herrin Police Department, and State’s Attorney Ted Hampson for their investigative collaboration and assistance.
This remains an ongoing investigation and additional suspects and charges are anticipated.
