ISP Announces Results In Violent Crime Suppression Detail In Metro East Region

EAST ST. LOUIS – Illinois State Police said a two-day violent crime suppression detail in St. Clair and Madison counties resulted in 13 arrests, 18 criminal charges and the seizure of seven firearms as officers focused on East St. Louis and nearby Metro East communities on July 8-9, 2026.

The operation targeted known high-crime areas, violent offenders and structured criminal groups, according to Illinois State Police, which said it used intelligence and technology to guide enforcement efforts in the Metro East.

State police said the detail produced 15 felony charges and 10 firearm-related charges. Officers also seized 2 grams of cannabis and 6 grams of a controlled substance.

Among the arrests highlighted by state police, a trooper on July 8 stopped a vehicle in East St. Louis after observing an Illinois Vehicle Code violation. During a probable cause search, the trooper recovered a loaded firearm, and charges are pending, police said.

In another July 8 stop near 25th Street and State Street in East St. Louis, a trooper observed a vehicle committing an Illinois Vehicle Code violation and conducted a traffic stop, according to police. During a probable cause search, the trooper recovered a loaded firearm. Charges are pending.

Also on July 8, troopers patrolling near Martin Luther King Drive and 5th Street in East St. Louis conducted a traffic stop after observing an Illinois Vehicle Code violation, police said. During a probable cause search, troopers recovered a loaded firearm. Charges are pending.

On July 9, troopers patrolling near Illinois 111 and Lake Drive in East St. Louis stopped a vehicle after observing an Illinois Vehicle Code violation, according to police. During a probable cause search, troopers recovered a loaded firearm. Charges are pending.

In another July 9 incident, troopers patrolling near the 300 block of North 69th Street in East St. Louis stopped a vehicle after observing an Illinois Vehicle Code violation, police said. Two suspects fled on foot. During an area search, troopers recovered two loaded firearms, both equipped with machine gun conversion devices, and suspected cocaine believed to be related to the traffic stop. Charges are pending.

Illinois State Police said officers from Fatal 4 South, the Zone 6 Firearms Investigations Unit, the Public Safety Enforcement Group, Crime Scene Services, ISP SWAT and ISP Air Operations assisted Statewide Anti-Violence Enforcement South with the operation.

State police said they will continue using available resources, including air operations, technology, forensic services, investigators, increased patrols and information sharing, to combat violent crime.

Illinois State Police noted that charges are not evidence against defendants, who are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.

The charge(s) is/are not evidence against the defendant(s), and the defendant(s) is/are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.