Alleged car thief arrested after chase

GONZALES — A local man was arrested after police said he stole a truck, demanded cash from a convenience store clerk and led officers on a car chase.

On Oct. 17, Sgt. J.D. Holt was dispatched to the Lexington Circle K (3000 block of Sarah Dewitt Drive) in reference to a report of a robbery, Capt. Allen Taylor reported. While en route officers learned from dispatch that the suspect had left the scene in a white truck with the letters “CRC” on the side - and that he was traveling west on Sarah DeWitt Dr.

Officer J.D. Holt, who was also dispatched to the scene, spotted the vehicle traveling in the 700 block of Sarah DeWitt Dr. Holt tried to pull the driver over, but the truck continued driving, turning south on Robertson St., evading officers. The truck turned onto Waco St. and then Live Oak St. before other officers pulled in front of the truck and blocked its path, Taylor said.

Officers identified the driver as John Nathan Eleby Jr., 37, of Gonzales, and took him into custody.

Officers then spoke with the store’s clerk who said Eleby had entered the store and demanded money, Taylor said. However, the clerk refused to do so and Eleby left the store.

Officers later learned that the truck had been stolen, Taylor said.

Eleby was taken to Gonzales County Jail and charged with robbery, evading arrest and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.