15 arrested, firearms seized in latest metro-east crime crackdown by Illinois State Police
Illinois State Police made 15 arrests resulting in 33 criminal charges during a special operation performed in the metro-east June 20 through 22.
The names of those arrested were not provided in the new release Tuesday.
Troopers during a special detail use information and technology to target “high crime areas, violent offenders and structured criminal groups,” according to state police. Since last summer, nine special operations have yielded 348 arrests across St. Clair and Madison counties.
Of the 33 charges yielded during the most recent three-day sting, 19 were felonies and 22 included firearm charges. Twelve firearms were seized, including three that had been reported stolen, and 28 grams of illegal drugs were taken off the streets, the state police reported.
State police highlighted some “notable events” during the operation:
On June 20, troopers attempted a traffic stop on a stolen Hyundai. The vehicle fled, but with the assistance of air support the vehicle was located in Cahokia Heights. Three suspects were taken into custody and two firearms were recovered; one firearm was reported stolen.
On June 21, troopers made a stop on a traffic violation. The vehicle fled to the area of 74th St. and Eureka Avenue in East St. Louis, where three subjects fled on foot. Two of the subjects were taken into custody and three firearms were recovered.
On June 22, troopers observed two juveniles walking in middle of the road, near 25th St. and Louisiana Ave. in East St. Louis. Troopers approached the juveniles and they fled on foot. Both juveniles were taken into custody and two stolen firearms were recovered.
Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly, the former state’s attorney for St. Clair County, told the BND in March that the agency focuses on areas “where the data indicates police activity is needed and welcome.”
“We make our strategic and tactical decisions based upon evidence, based upon facts,” Kelly said. “Where do the statistics indicate where there’s a higher level of criminal activity and the potential for criminal activity? Does the community need us?”
More than 25 officers from around the state, including Illinois State Police Troop 8, the South Fatal Four Team, Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 6, the Public Safety Enforcement Group, and Air Operations joined forces with the Special Operation Group Statewide Anti-Violence Enforcement Unit. The ISP Firearms Investigations Unit provided additional support during the operational period, according to the release.
