Metro-east crime roundup: recent cases reviewed

The following stories focus on crime and justice in the metro-east area from last week:

Oct. 23: For the second time since being released from prison after fatally stabbing his wife in a west Belleville pub in 1990, a 65-year-old man has been sent to state prison. He pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a weapon in Bond County and was given a five-year prison sentence.

Oct. 23: A 24-year-old Edwardsville man was sentenced as a result of a child pornography case. Edwardsville Police initiated the investigation, leading to the suspect's prosecution and registration as a sex offender.

Oct. 23: Illinois State Police arrested 29 individuals as part of operations in high crime areas, demonstrating ongoing efforts to curb violence in the metro-east including significant arrests and seizures of weapons.

Oct. 25: Granite Police have arrested one suspect in connection with a fatal shooting at a bar. Neither the name of the victim nor the suspect has been released.

Oct. 26: A 37-year-old woman from Chile has pleaded guilty in regards to her role in a scheme to buy goods with credit cards stolen from shoppers in metro-east stores and elsewhere in the United States.

The dates above reflect when the stories were published by the BND.

NO. 1: MURDERER SENT TO PRISON AGAIN AFTER SERVING TIME FOR KILLING WIFE IN BELLEVILLE

For the second time since being released from prison after fatally stabbing his wife in a west Belleville pub in 1990, Timothy Hayden has been sent to state prison. | Published October 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mike Koziatek

NO. 2: MADISON COUNTY MAN SENTENCED ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CONVICTION

A 24-year-old Edwardsville man was sentenced to 10 years in an Illinois prison for distributing child pornography. | Published October 23, 2025 | Read Full Story

Illinois State Police car in East St. Louis on Sept. 27, 2023. By Joshua Carter

NO. 3: STATE POLICE ARREST 29 AS THEY TARGET ‘HIGH CRIME AREAS’ IN THE METRO-EAST

A series of patrols by Illinois State Police launched two years ago in “known high crime areas” in and around East St. | Published October 23, 2025 | Read Full Story

NO. 4: ONE KILLED, ONE ARRESTED IN METRO-EAST BAR SHOOTING, POLICE SAY

Granite Police have arrested one suspect in connection with a fatal shooting at a bar early Saturday. | Published October 25, 2025 | Read Full Story

The U.S. Court for the Southern District of Illinois in East St. Louis.

NO. 5: CHILEAN WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY IN FRAUD SCHEME WITH TIES TO METRO-EAST STORES

One of two women from Chile has pleaded guilty for her role in a scheme to buy goods with credit cards stolen from shoppers in metro-east stores and elsewhere the United States. | Published October 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mike Koziatek

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.