FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
Public Information
Office
August 12, 2011
217.782.6637
Captain James
Morrisey
618.346.3721
www.isp.state.il.us
TDD: 1-800-255-3323
ISP Zone 6 WAVE Detail Targets Gun Traffickers in East St. Louis
4 Suspects in Custody
Collinsville, IL – The Illinois State Police Zone 6 WAVE (Working Against
Violent Elements) detail apprehended four offenders Thursday night after
obtaining information about illegal firearm sales.
At approximately 4:45 a.m., police responded to 13th and St. Clair Avenue
for a call of a possible carjacking. A female victim from Madison told
police that her car was being blocked by another vehicle with armed
offenders.
One of the offenders discharged a Taser at the female victim and stole the
vehicle. WAVE Unit Officers later located the burning 2003 Chevrolet
Cavalier in Lincoln Park. Officers also responded to a separate incident
at approximately 6:14 a.m. in the 3300 block of State Street. A male
victim from Caseyville also reported a carjacking and that he was Tasered
by a group of armed offenders.
WAVE focuses its efforts on combating violent crime in East St. Louis,
Washington Park, and surrounding communities. WAVE is a collaboration of
law enforcement officers from the Illinois State Police, the Metropolitan
Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois (MEGSI), St. Clair County
Sheriff's Department, Madison County Sheriff's Department, East St. Louis
Police Department, U.S. Attorney's Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation,
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Drug Enforcement
Agency, and United States Marshals Service. Since 2009, the Task Force has
seized over 400 firearms, $161,800 in currency, 33 stolen vehicle
recoveries, and over 1,200 grams of cocaine.
Arrests made by ISP WAVE detail members range from weapons charges and drug
possession to domestic battery and outstanding warrants.
The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information about these
crimes is urged to contact the East St. Louis Police Department at 484-6700
or Crimestoppers at 866 371-8477.
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Pam Wieties
Director's Public Information Office
801 South Seventh Street
Suite 1001A
Springfield IL 62703
217-782-6637
email: Pam_Wieties@isp.state.il.us
