WHITE CO.—A St. Louis street gang member is behind bars and being served institutional food in Carmi tonight after an alleged car theft that ended on Interstate 64 in White County.
According to ISP 19 Commender Morrie Frasier, a report of a reckless driver out on 64 was made this morning (August 28, 2013) at 7:42 a.m.
As it turns out, ISP was contacted by the Indiana State Police Post in Evansville, concerning a report of two black passenger cars driving at high rates of speed from Indiana to Illinois on 64.
A District 19 trooper responded to I-65, where he observed a black 2012 Dodge Avenger passenger car parked on the right shoulder of the westbound lanes of 64 at mile post 122.
Curry Valentine. We’re wondering if his mama thought at one point to name him “Be My.” You know; instead of a spice.
As the trooper pulled up to the parked car, an individual, later identified as Curry H. Valentine, 19, of St. Louis, exited the vehicle. The trooper noticed the vehicle had Expressway Dodge license plates and the driver’s side window was damaged, Further investigation concluded the vehicle had been stolen from Expressway Dodge in Evansville.
Valentine was initially placed under arrest for No Valid Driver’s License. Once it was confirmed the vehicle was stolen from Expressway Dodge, he was charged with Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, a Class 2 felony. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, a loaded .380 handgun was discovered inside the passenger compartment. Valentine was also charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Street Gang Member, a Class 2 felony; and Aggravated Unlawful Use of Weapons, a Class 3 felony. In addition, he was cited for No Valid Vehicle Registration.
Valentine was transported to the White County Jail in Carmi, where he is being held pending a court appearance.
The vehicle was removed by Rick’s Towing of Grayville.
Capt. Frasier stated, “This investigation serves as another example of how Illinois State Troopers are making the highways safer for the traveling public. In this instance, a stolen vehicle was recovered, while a reckless driver and a loaded handgun were removed from the roadways. District 19 troopers will continue to make it a priority to focus on traffic enforcement, as well as other efforts to rid our highways and communities of illegal drugs, guns, and impaired drivers.”