Illinois State Police makes 43 arrests in metro-east ‘high crime areas’
Illinois State Police troopers made 43 arrests in a three-day period dubbed Operation Silent Night when more than 30 officers from around the state saturated “high crime areas” in the metro-east, the agency announced Wednesday.
The arrests were made Dec. 7-9 in St. Clair and Madison counties with a focus on East St. Louis and neighboring communities, according to an ISP news release.
“The operation utilized intelligence and technology to target known high crime areas, organized violent offenders and structured criminal groups,” the release stated.
Names of the persons arrested were not provided. Also, the release didn’t indicate whether they were detained before trial as part of the state’s SAFE-T Act that went into effect Sept. 18.
Along with the 43 arrests, there were 23 firearms seized, 49 felony charges filed and four stolen vehicles recovered.
The news release included information about three of the cases:
▪ On Dec. 7 in the area of 19th Street and St. Clair Avenue in East St. Louis, troopers made a traffic stop of a vehicle with a motor-vehicle code violation. As the driver spoke with troopers, “noticeable smoke emitted through the vehicle’s window,” the release stated. During a search, troopers found more than 120 grams of suspected illegal cannabis. The driver was charged with possession of cannabis with intent to distribute and vehicle code violations.
▪ On Dec. 9 in Washington Park, a vehicle fled a traffic stop. ISP Air Operations tracked the vehicle and spotted it on Illinois 157 near Interstate 64 in Caseyville. Troopers again tried to stop the vehicle, but it “intentionally rammed an ISP squad car and continued fleeing into East St. Louis,” the release stated. “The driver of the suspect vehicle eventually lost control and crashed into an abandoned house.” The driver was arrested and charged with aggravated fleeing to elude, aggravated battery to a police officer and multiple vehicle code violations.
▪ On Dec. 9 in the area of 37th Street near Bunkum Road in Washington Park, officers observed a vehicle with multiple code violations. “After speaking with the driver, officers determined the driver did not possess a valid driver’s license,” the release stated. “A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of a loaded handgun in a hidden compartment.” The driver was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.
Along with ISP troopers from several units of the agency, police officers from the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois provided support in Operation Silent Night.
