UPDATE: With assistance from other law enforcement agencies, we have identified the critically injured suspect as a 15-year-old from Illinois. The name of the critically injured suspect is not being released because he is a juvenile.
UPDATE: The Cadillac wanted in connection to the incident has been located and is in SLMPD custody. We have also identified a person of interest. Our community played a key role in this case that allowed us to identify the vehicle. We are incredibly grateful.
On the morning of March 17, 2025, the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force was conducting an investigation in North City related to a carjacked Toyota RAV4 from East St. Louis, Illinois. That carjacked SUV was spotted in the 4800 block of Cote Brilliante when deputies assigned to the Task Force spotted the suspects exit the RAV4 and saw them enter an Acura vehicle, which was also revealed to be stolen from Belleville.
A description of the Acura was broadcasted and District 6 officers spotted the suspect vehicle in the 5400 block of Queens. District 6 officers attempted a traffic stop, however the Acura fled. The Acura then swerved towards an officer that was deploying spike strips at Queens & Harney. Despite the vehicle swerving and nearly hitting one of our officers — the Acura was successfully spiked and continued to flee.
Officers pursued the Acura where it eventually entered eastbound I-70 from North Kingshighway. The suspect vehicle lost control and struck an uninvolved vehicle just before eastbound I-70 and Shreve.
The driver of the Acura, an 18-year-old man, fled from the car on foot and was taken into custody nearby. The front passenger, a 20-year-old man, remained in the Acura and was also taken into custody. The rear passenger, who we have not identified yet, fled the vehicle, jumped over the center median and into the eastbound express lanes of I-70 where he was held at gunpoint by an SLMPD officer.
As the SLMPD officer was climbing over the median to take the suspect into custody, the officer and suspect were struck by a separate vehicle while in the express lanes. The officer sustained a severe leg injury after the impact and fell to the ground. Unable to move and concerned – the injured officer fired ‘safety shots’ into the air to alert other responding officers to his location. Officers rushed to the injured police officer and applied a tourniquet.
The SLMPD officer was placed into a patrol SUV and rushed to the hospital where he was taken into emergency surgery for major leg trauma. The officer is in critical/stable condition. The suspect was transported to another hospital in critical, unstable condition. Two firearms were recovered from inside the stolen Acura.
The vehicle that struck the officer and suspect is believed to be a Cadillac CTS Sedan – between a 2008 and 2013. There is passenger side rear damage and possible damage to rear taillight. The vehicle was last seen in the eastbound express lanes with the bumper hanging off.
Surveillance cameras spotted the vehicle near the I-55/I-44 split around 8:50 a.m. on March 17, 2025. It is vitally important that anyone who saw this Cadillac with the hanging bumper to call CrimeStoppers. No piece of information is too small. If you saw it – we need to hear from you.
Please call CrimeStoppers at (866) 371-TIPS. You can remain anonymous and you might be eligible for a cash reward.
The injured officer is 31-years-old and has nearly 6 years of service to the City of St. Louis.
