Victims Injured during vehicle crash
On 11-23-08 at 6:30 PM Deputies were dispatched to a carjacking which occurred on the 100 block of Signal Hill Blvd in unincorporated Belleville. Deputies arrived within six minutes and spoke to the 17 year old victim and his girlfriend. The victim stated he was leaving his girlfriend’s house and started his car up because it was cold. The victim lives in Belleville. He was sitting in it when three subjects (and possibly a fourth) walked up to him. They all had hoods over their heads and bandanas around their faces. One subject pointed a silver semi-automatic pistol at him and ordered him out of the car. The second subject had a long rifle or shotgun. He lay on the ground as directed and they stole a small amount of cash and other personal items from him. They then drove away in his vehicle (2005 Ford Escape) very fast.
During the carjacking the victim believed the men were black males. They also continually yelled orders at him, using derogatory words which usually are directed at African Americans (the “N” word). The subjects’ descriptions are:
1. Main suspect (with handgun) – dark hoodie, approximately 17 to 24 y/o, dark colored bandana (maybe blue or black) on face, roughly about his height – 5’8 or 5’9, Gun – small, silver automatic
2. Second suspect (rifle/shotgun/bb gun) – unknown gun – small barrel with a wooden stock
3. Third suspect – bright colored hoodie (red or orange) some kind of black marks on it (stars?)
4. Possible fourth suspect unknown.
While the Deputies were responding to the carjacking scene a traffic crash with injuries occurred on Lake Drive at Route 157, Centreville. The vehicle which had been carjacked caused the crash and ran into another vehicle. The driver and a passenger in the other vehicle were injured and were transported to a local hospital.
Deputies and Centreville Police responded to the traffic crash scene but the suspects ran away prior to their arrival. An ISPERN broadcast was sent and numerous law enforcement agencies searched the area.
During the search Centreville Police and E. St. Louis Police arrested 10 subjects near Marybelle Avenue and 73rd Street. A handgun and shotgun were discovered in their possession. Investigators from the Sheriff’s Department were called in and interviewed the 10 subjects throughout the night. At this time their involvement in the carjacking is undetermined.
While investigating the incident an abandoned stolen vehicle (Silver 2003 Pontiac Grand Am) was located on Powder Creek Road just south of Foley Drive. This was in close proximity to the carjacking. The vehicle had extensive front end damage and the ignition was punched. The vehicle had been reported stolen from Centreville on 11-22-08 at 11:00 PM to Centreville Police. During a canvas of the neighborhood a neighbor had seen several subjects walking in the area with hoods over their heads and didn’t think anything of it.
The carjacked vehicle and the recovered stolen vehicle are both being processed by Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services and several items of evidence are being turned over to the Crime Lab for analysis. The Metro East Auto Theft Task Force and Investigators from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department are co-working the investigation.
Anyone who has any information about possible suspects is asked to call Inv. Mike Hundelt at 618-277-3505 x5716 or the St. Louis Area Crime Stoppers at 866-371-8477 (TIPS). If Crime Stoppers is called up to a $1,000.00 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of suspects.
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Captain Steve Johnson
Chief Investigator
Criminal Investigation Section
St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department
618-277-3505 x5715
