Man arrested in Benld is indicted for murder

A man who was arrested in Benld on Sept. 12 has been indicted by a Sangamon County Grand Jury for first-degree murder related to the shooting deaths of John and Gloria Norgaard on Sept. 11. They were shot in their home in Springfield.

Mark N. Crites, Jr.,, age 23, of Springfield was found sitting in a 2008 black Dodge Charger in Benld at about 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 12. Gillespie police were called to investigate the vehicle and driver that was at the intersection of Maple and Cahokia streets in Benld near State Route 138.

Crites had argued with his brother on Sept. 10 then poured gasoline throughout his house on Genoa Drive in Springfield and set it on fire before fleeing the scene.

The bodies of John and Gloria Norgaard were discovered by a family member at their home on Southwind Drive in Springfield on at 8 a.m. on Sept. 11.

Crites was indicted on eight counts of first-degree murder in regard to the shooting as well as aggravated arson, residential arson, theft, possession of a stolen motor vehicle and aggravated possession of stolen firearms.