A late-night armed carjacking that authorities say started in Illinois ended on the 900 block of Lebon Drive in Bellefontaine Neighbors, and now police want residents to hit rewind on their doorbell and security cameras. Officers were called to the block after the reported carjacking and stopped a vehicle, taking one suspect into custody. Police say other suspects ran off on foot and the suspect vehicle was seized. Investigators are asking neighbors to comb through footage from roughly 11:30 p.m. Thursday through 2 a.m. Friday for anyone running or any other suspicious activity.
Police Say One Suspect Arrested and Vehicle Seized
According to First Alert 4, officers were called late Thursday after a carjacking that took place in Illinois. First Alert 4 reports that when the vehicle tied to the case was stopped, one person was taken into custody and the car was seized by police. The outlet notes that authorities have not said whether charges have been filed or whether any identities have been released, and the police department has not provided a detailed public timeline as the investigation continues.
How Neighbors Can Help
The Bellefontaine Neighbors Police Department is asking residents on Lebon Drive and nearby streets to review footage from 11:30 p.m. Thursday to 2 a.m. Friday for anyone running, gathering, or acting suspicious. Anyone with information or video that could help the investigation should email [email protected], according to the Bellefontaine Neighbors Police Department. Police are asking people to hold on to original files, note the time stamps, and share that information when they send in tips. They also encourage anyone who directly witnessed something connected to the incident to contact dispatch or the non-emergency numbers listed on the department site.
Local Context
Violent robberies and vehicle thefts have been an ongoing concern in north St. Louis County this year; First Alert 4 reported on an armed robbery in May that led to multiple arrests and the recovery of several vehicles. In another high-profile case tied to the area, a gunman gets life plus 15 for a deadly north St. Louis teen shooting. Together, cases like these help explain why local police are leaning on neighborhood video as a key tool. Officers say footage from residents is often one of the fastest ways to piece together what happened during fast-moving, late-night incidents.
