Health officer ends vehicle theft spree

You can credit Du Quoin health and safety officer Ron Darnell with ending a vehicle theft spree Monday night and early Tuesday morning. The sheriff's department and Du Quoin police are investigating.

It began with the theft of a 2010 Kia Forte on Mulberry Street.

Lonnie Gray Jr., 20, Du Quoin, was northbound on Old Du Quoin Road in the stolen car when he attempted to turn west onto East Park Street Road at the intersection, but skidded off the road and overturned.

The wreck occurred near Darnell's home. Darnell was checking on a sports score at 2 a.m. when he heard the commotion of a man trying to steal his own pickup truck. He held Gray until police arrived.

Gray was charged with theft over $300.

A maintenance pickup truck from the Perry County Housing Authority maintenance building was also stolen Jan. 8. The Housing Authority pickup truck was located near Maxton Funeral Home. Police are still investigating that incident.