Creon's pride blinds his judgement throughout most of the story and decides to punish Antigone and Polynices. He does not simply want to penalize these two for committing crimes; he does it to demonstrate his rights and power as king of Thebes. He believes that the city is given to him though royalty and that he can do what he wants with it. When the Sentry tells Creon that the body of Polynices has been buried, Creon quickly accuses the Sentry of being bribed commit the crime. The Sentry swears he is innocent but Creon is stubborn and wants someone to punish.
He says his motive for finding the culprit is to enforce the laws and punish the criminal, but it is his pride that drives him. Once he discovers that Antigone was responsible, he quickly punishes her. Then slowly, one by one, people around him, even his own son, tell him that his decisions are not what the people of Thebes believe to be the right thing to do. Creon is persistent until Tiresias, and even the Leader, tell him to free Antigone. As individuals, no one could overpower Creon. But the city of Thebes as a whole easily cleared Creon's stubborn mind.
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Alfred--You make a good point about the difference between using power in the cause of justice and using it simply to demonstrate that one has it.
I liked what you said: "He says his motive for finding the culprit is to enforce the laws and punish the criminal, but it is his pride that drives him."
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