MOUNT VERNON, IL (February 5, 2022) - The Mount Vernon Police Department is reporting that on Friday February 4th, 2022 at around 2138 hours (9:38 P.M.) officers from the Mount Vernon Police Department responded to a report of a fight in progress at the Mach 1 Gas Station, 1409 S 42nd Street, in Mount Vernon.
Upon their arrival the officers were able to separate the two male subjects involved.
One of the males would not cooperate with officers and began resisting commands leading to him being taken into custody. Officers began an investigation of the incident and became aware of a vehicle on the parking lot that was reportedly driven by the male in custody.
Upon running the registration on the vehicle the officers learned an Amber alert had been posted on the vehicle and the vehicle was possibly being driven by a murder suspect, Richard Gray, from Kentucky and endangered children were also believed to be traveling in the vehicle.
The driver of the vehicle / person in custody initially provided false information regarding his identity to officers. However, officers were able to continue their investigation and determine the male was actually 32 year-old Richard S. Gray from Bardstown, Kentucky.
Gray had a Kentucky warrant for his arrest charging:
- First Degree Murder
- Unlawful Imprisonment
Bond on the warrant is $50,000.
Incident to his arrest officers conducted a search of Gray. During the search officers located a loaded, stolen handgun on his person.
The children were located safe in the vehicle and transported to the Mt. Vernon Police Department.
The Division of Children and Family Services responded to the police department to assist in returning the children to family.
Detectives from the Bardstown Police Department traveled to Mt. Vernon where detectives from the Mt. Vernon Police Department and the Jefferson County States Attorney's Office assisted them with the investigation.
In addition to the charges from Kentucky, charges are pending in Jefferson County against Richard Gray for:
- Resisting / Obstructing Arrest,
- Obstructing Identification,
- Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon
- Possession of a Stolen Firearm
- Criminal Damage to Property
- Aggravated Battery
Gray has been incarcerated in the Jefferson County Justice Center and is considered innocent until proven guilty in court.
Photo of the accused is from the Mount Vernon Police Department.
Any media questions related to the offenses in Kentucky should be made to the appropriate Kentucky authorities.
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RELATED: AMBER ALERT: MAN ACCUSED OF ABDUCTING 4 CHILDREN AFTER MURDERING GIRLFRIEND IN KENTUCKY
