The Keymaster
Master
A convicted felon from Gary was arrested Tuesday morning after driving away from a Lake Station gas station with a handgun on the roof of his car.
According to Indiana State Police, officers received a call reporting someone driving eastbound on Interstate 80 with a handgun on the roof of their vehicle just after 5 a.m.
The caller said the 1997 Mercury exited off of I-80 onto Ripley Street in Lake Station and stopped at a gas station just off of the exit.
Trooper Marcus Gholson arrived and found the driver, Dereck B. Gray II, 29, of Gary coming out of the gas station with a bag of drinks. Gray allegedly tried to put the bag of drinks on top of the roof to cover up the gun.
According to Gholson, Gray said he knew he wasn't supposed to have a gun because he is a convicted felon in Georgia, but said he kept the weapon to protect his family. Gray also allegedly told Gholson he was afraid someone would try to steal the expensive rims on his car.
Police said Gray told the trooper he often carries gun from his home in the mornings to his garage, where he usually leaves it.
Gholson took the 40-caliber semi-automatic weapon into custody and transported Gray to the Lake County Jail.
Gray was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a serious violent offender, police said.
According to Indiana State Police, officers received a call reporting someone driving eastbound on Interstate 80 with a handgun on the roof of their vehicle just after 5 a.m.
The caller said the 1997 Mercury exited off of I-80 onto Ripley Street in Lake Station and stopped at a gas station just off of the exit.
Trooper Marcus Gholson arrived and found the driver, Dereck B. Gray II, 29, of Gary coming out of the gas station with a bag of drinks. Gray allegedly tried to put the bag of drinks on top of the roof to cover up the gun.
According to Gholson, Gray said he knew he wasn't supposed to have a gun because he is a convicted felon in Georgia, but said he kept the weapon to protect his family. Gray also allegedly told Gholson he was afraid someone would try to steal the expensive rims on his car.
Police said Gray told the trooper he often carries gun from his home in the mornings to his garage, where he usually leaves it.
Gholson took the 40-caliber semi-automatic weapon into custody and transported Gray to the Lake County Jail.
Gray was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a serious violent offender, police said.
