Stolen vehicle fugitive in custody

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — A fugitive who ran from police early this morning is in custody this evening after an all-day effort by law enforcement.

At about 7:45 p.m., Warren County Sheriff’s Deputies and Hinds County Deputies apprehended and placed in custody the fugitive who had eluded capture for most of the day. At about 9 a.m., a black Ford F250 was stolen from a lot near Ergon Marine on Lee Street in Vicksburg.

A few minutes later, Vicksburg police spotted the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle failed to yield and led police on a chase that turned southbound on Highway 27. The stolen vehicle then drove off of 27 into a marshy area just north of the Big Black bridge at the first ‘relief’ bridge. The suspect fled from the vehicle and eluded police for most of the daylight hours.

According to Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace, “John W. Gray, 45 years of age, was taken into custody in Hinds County, west of Hwy 27 and just south of Canada Cross Road.” Gray was located hiding in a deer camp shed. Deputies also recovered one of the stolen handguns at the time of arrest that Gray was believed to have stashed nearby. “He is in the Warren County Jail tonight,” said Pace.

The Sheriff went on to compliment the agencies involved with the all-day effort. “The search today involved multiple agencies, including Vicksburg Police, Warren County and Hinds County deputies, Warren County Fire Department Drone, Clinton Police Drone Team, and MHP.”