The suspect being held by Caseyville Police in connection with an attempted armed robbery and shooting is a Caseyville resident who has been positively identified by at least one eyewitness, Caseyville Police Chief Jose Alvarez said.
An African-American male entered Ferguson TV, VCR and Satellite Service on Illinois Route 157 at about 11:28 a.m. Thursday and announced a robbery. A female victim in the business was then shot numerous times, Alvarez said, before the suspect fled on foot. It is still unknown if the suspect took any goods or money from the store.
Ferguson TV, VCR and Satellite in Caseyville, the scene of a Nov. 14, 2013 shooting / Photo by Roger Starkey
Police have not released the name of the victim, who was in surgery in a St. Louis area hospital late Thursday afternoon. The victim, a Caseyville resident, is expected to recover, Alvarez said.
Several eyewitnesses contacted police after the incident and the suspect, who has not been named, was taken into custody in the 300 block of Brookside Dr. at 12:36 p.m. He was arrested as he emerged from the woods.
During the search for the suspect, Unit 10 schools were on varying levels of lockdown. The lockdown was lifted after the lone suspect was arrested.
Collinsville Police were brought in to assist the search for evidence. Alvarez said he believed the gun had been recovered, but he was awaiting confirmation.
Caseyville Laundromat owner Mina Patel said police searched the building for a gun and other evidence shortly after the incident occurred. The building entrance was blocked off with police tape.
Police departments assisting at the scene included Brooklyn, Fairmont City, Collinsville, Belleville, St. Clair County and the Illinois State Police.
The suspect, described as about 30 years of age, 6-foot tall and stocky, is currently being held in the Caseyville Jail, before being transferred to the St. Clair County Jail. Warrants will be applied for with the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office on Friday, Alvarez said.
