A suspect wanted in connection with a double homicide that took place on Sunday in Springfield was taken into custody without incident on Monday in Benld by Gillespie Police Department.
Mark N. Crites Jr., 23, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, aggravated arson, and residential arson. His bond is set at $5 million.
Police said Springfield Police were called to a home on Genoa Drive in Springfield on Saturday evening for a disturbance and possible structure fire where Crites Jr. was in an argument with his brother. He allegedly poured gas through the home and lit it on fire before fleeing. No one was seriously hurt in that incident but Crites was unable to be found.
On Sunday morning, police were called to a residence on Southwind Drive in Springfield when a relative reported two deceased people in the residence, husband and wife John Norgaard, 67, and Gloria Norgaard, 69, both of Springfield. Both victims died from gunshot wounds.
A motive hasn’t been identified. Crites is due back in court on September 22.
Gillespie Police Chief Jared DePoppe said the vehicle of interest related to the double murder, a Dodge Charger, was found near the intersection of Maple and Cahokia streets, near Benld’s city cemetery off Illinois 138. DePoppe said a concerned citizen requested a well-being check because they thought the situation with the vehicle was odd.
This marks the second recent murder arrest by Gillespie Police Department led by police chief Jared DePoppe. DePoppe’s department arrested Alton murder suspect Deundrea Holloway in Gillespie in June.
Gillespie Police has covered Benld since June 2020 after the city disbanded its own police department and contracted with Gillespie to provide coverage.