Surprise Illinois Police Sting in East St. Louis Nabs 34 Suspects

The Illinois State Police are on a mission to impact the worst crime areas of the East St. Louis metro area. Just a few days ago, they executed a sting operation that resulted in 34 suspect arrests and dozens of felony charges.

The Public Information Office of the Illinois State Police just released the numbers from an operation that was just carried out in the East St. Louis area from April 16 through April 18, 2025. Here are the results:

• Arrests 34
• Felony Charges 37
• Criminal Charges 60
• Firearm Related Charges 31
• Firearms Seized 18
• Controlled Substance Seized 9.7 grams
• Stolen Vehicles Recovered 2

In just one vehicle stop on the night of April 16, 2025, the Illinois State Police found the following: "A probable cause search of the vehicle and passengers resulted in the seizure of a loaded drum magazine and AK 47 firearm and a loaded AR pistol firearm."They said that in another stop two individuals were not cooperative and after a brief struggle they discovered a loaded firearm with an extended magazine.

This was an extensive operation that included Troop 7, Troop 8, Troop 9, Troop 10, South Fatal Four Team, Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 6, Firearms Investigations Unit, Air Operations, and the Public Safety Enforcement Group and the Division of Patrol’s Special Operation Group South Statewide Anti-Violence Enforcement Unit.