Man accused of driving into post office

Not only the postman rings twice. A Jackson County man remained in jail Monday after he drove two cars into the post office in Ravenden Springs.

Randolph County Sheriff Gary Tribble said Glenn Irvin Sparling, 65, drove one vehicle into the post office on Sunday, and fled the scene. The sheriff told Jonesboro television station KAIT that the car stopped running. So Sparling went home and got another vehicle, a red antique sports car, and started driving back to the post office.

The sheriff said a deputy spotted Sparling and gave chase. The pursuit ended when Sparling ran the second car into the post office building. Sparling wasn't hurt, the sheriff said.

Manager of Post Office Operations Hillrey Adams said Monday that the building had an 8-foot by 8-foot hole in it.

"The damage is extensive. This is a small, modular post office building and it has one wall completely out of it right now," Adams said.

A contractor was on site clearing out the damaged area so it could be repaired.

"It's so dusty in here right now, Adams said, coughing.

Adams said Sparling had damaged a post office previously, and the sheriff said Sparling had a history of damaging postal buildings. No one was in the post office when it was hit.

The facility was moving mail on Monday, but Adams said there was little demand for walk-up services.

"Most people just pull up and see the damage and go on down the road," Adams said.

A dispatcher said Sparling was still in jail Monday afternoon and she denied a request to talk to him.

Sparling faces numerous counts, including felony charges of vehicular fleeing, criminal mischief and leaving the scene of an accident with property damage. He is also charged with DWI, and authorities said federal charges are possible.

Ravenden Springs has about 130 residents.