Series of metro-east ‘violent crime’ crackdowns yield nearly 500 arrests

For at least the 14th time since June 2023, Illinois State Police has conducted a multi-day crackdown in an effort to “combat violent crime” in the East St. Louis area.

The latest operation had nearly 40 Illinois State Police officers from around the state participate in a “crime suppression detail” March 10-12 when 32 arrests were made,14 guns were seized and two stolen vehicles were recovered, according to a news release Tuesday from the agency.

With these cases, the total number of arrests stands at 492 since June 2023, according to a Belleville News-Democrat review of state police announcements.

The arrests have been made in St. Clair and Madison counties with the focus on the East St. Louis area and neighboring communities, according to Illinois State Police statements.

The names of those arrested were not released.

On March 12, troopers stopped a vehicle for a code violation.

“One passenger fled on foot and was apprehended by troopers,” according to the news release. “A search of the passenger resulted in the seizure of a loaded firearm with an extended magazine. A probable cause search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of additional firearm ammunition. Felony charges are pending.”