Creal Springs man facing several charges in countywide theft case

ENERGY, Ill. (KBSI) – A Creal Springs man faces several charges after investigators used aerial survelliance and ATVs to solve a countywide theft case.

Jordan L. Lewis faces charges of 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.

The Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies were notified on February 19 at 4:17 a.m. by the Energy police officers of a theft from their maintenance garage.

Williamson County Sheriff’s investigators responded and processed the scene. Investigators from both departments began a review of events that occurred over the proceeding month. Those events include a white male driving a side by side, cut a lock on the Village of Energy gas tank and stole gasoline on February 6 at 5:05 a.m.

A suspect stole gasoline from the Villageof Energy’s gas tank on Feb. 19 at 4:17 a.m. The suspect was captured on camera and when officers arrived on scene, the suspect left, backing the UTV into a barbed wire fence and fleeing west on College Street in Energy.

An Energy police officer tried to chase the suspect, but the suspect left the road and escaped.

There was one additional theft of fuel. However, the specific date it happened is unknown.

Williamson County Sheriff’s investigators expanded the scope of the investigation countywide.

Herrin Police officers responded to Snow Power located at 1707 S. Park Avenue to the report of a UTV parked on the property on Feb. 24. A driver on the UTV left driving through parking lots, down Park Avenue, and through residential yards, according to Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies.

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 chase.

Using video and photos from the Herrin Police Department and the Energy Police Department, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office investigators identified the suspect as Lewis.

On February 26, 2024, Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies received information that Lewis had been traveling from a home in rural Creal Springs to Hurst on the UTV and 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. They conducted aerial surveillance of these locations from a fixed wing aircraft.

A review of the digital imagery captured during the aerial surveillance found 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, went to the Mauseyville Road home and saw several ATVs, UTVs and the suspect on the property.

They surrounded the UTV and spoke to Lewis.

Deputies say 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 investigators found the Polaris UTV Lewis is suspected of driving in the thefts that had been previously reported stolen.

They also found a double barreled sawed off shotgun under 18 inches, a new Honda CFR 50cc dirt bike with manufacturer’s sales tags still attached that authorities say Lewis told them was stolen and a Kawasaki ATV which has been spray painted and believed to be stolen.

Lewis arrested and taken to the Williamson County Jail.

“This is a perfect example of law enforcement throughout Williamson County working collaboratively to hold criminals accountable,” said Williamson County Sheriff Jeff Diederich.

Sheriff Diederich thanked the Energy Police Department, Herrin Police Department and State’s Attorney Ted Hampson for their investigative collaboration and assistance.

This investigation is ongoing.

Additional suspects and charges are anticipated.

Anyone with information concerning this or any other investigation is asked to contact the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office at 618-997-6541 or “Submit A Tip” on the Williamson County Sheriff’s App.