COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Illinois State Police carried out 'Operation Silent Night' over several days in St. Clair and Madison counties. The operation led to several arrests.
More than 30 officers from around the state participated focusing on East St. Louis and the Metro East, including Troops 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10; the South Fatal Four Team; the ISP Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 6 Public Safety Enforcement Group; and ISP Air operations. They joined forces with ISP Special Operation Group South Statewide Anti-Violence Enforcement Unit for the multi-day operation.
Police said they used intelligence and technology to target known high crime areas, organized violent offenders and structured criminal groups. It led to 43 arrests, 49 felony charges, 68 criminal charges, 38 firearm-related charges, 23 firearms seized, 1,607 grams of cannabis seized, 5 grams of controlled substance seized and four stolen vehicles recovered.
During the operation, there were several notable events and arrests. One person was arrested for possession of 120 grams of illegal cannabis on Dec. 7 in East St. Louis. Police in Washington Park arrested a person who tried to flee from a traffic stop and ended up ramming their car into an ISP squad car on Dec. 9. ISP arrested another person in Washington Park and conducted a traffic stop where they found a loaded handgun in a hidden compartment of the car on Dec. 10.
According to ISP, officers will continue to use all available resources including air operations, forensic services and increase patrols to solve and combat violence in the area.
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