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The Evening Whirl: St. Louis’ Crime Chime –
Weekly Crime Report: Rhymes, Crimes, and Declines

Teddy bear under a streetlamp with crossed knives in the foreground.
A haunting symbol of innocence lost in St. Louis crime. Image by The Evening Whirl.

Welcome to The Evening Whirl’s latest edition of Crime Chime, where we dissect the chaos, celebrate the progress, and keep a sharp eye on the streets of one of the most dangerous cities in the United States—St. Louis, MO. This week’s crime report is a rollercoaster of bizarre incidents, tragic losses, and a surprising silver lining in the city’s crime rate. Let’s dive into the rhymes and crimes that defined January 17–20, 2026.

Teddy Bear Scare: A Stabbing Affair

On January 20, a man was stabbed outside the St. Patrick Center on North Tucker Boulevard in a bizarre altercation over a teddy bear. The suspect, Antwon Baldwin, demanded the stuffed toy, and when refused, resorted to violence. The incident, caught on security footage, left the victim injured and the city shaking its head at the absurdity of it all.

Hit-and-Run Fun? Not for Ka’Ontee Johnson

Tragedy struck early Saturday morning in North County when 30-year-old Ka’Ontee Johnson was fatally struck in a hit-and-run on Lucas and Hunt Road. The driver fled the scene, leaving behind heartbreak and unanswered questions.

Between January 17 and 20, five juveniles were arrested for an armed robbery near the Brentwood MetroLink station. One suspect carried a replica firearm, but the fear they instilled was all too real. The group is now in custody at the St. Louis County Juvenile Justice Center, a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against youth violence.

Church Heist Spree: Holy Havoc in East St. Louis

During the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, a wave of burglaries hit a church in East St. Louis. The congregation’s celebration turned into a crime scene, as thieves targeted the sacred space.

Belleville Bang: Fatal Shooting on Monday Night

In nearby Belleville, IL, a man was shot and killed on January 19. A woman was taken into custody, but the motive remains unclear. Another life lost, another family shattered.

Kidnap and Check Scam: Fraudulent Fiasco

Authorities uncovered a large-scale check scam involving fake treasury checks, passports, and credit cards. The suspects reportedly recruited homeless individuals and drug addicts to cash the fraudulent checks, exploiting the vulnerable for financial gain.

The Silver Lining: Crime Declines in St. Louis

Amid the chaos, there’s a glimmer of hope. St. Louis, often ranked among the most dangerous cities in the United States, is seeing a significant drop in crime:

  • Homicides Hit a 12-Year Low: 2025 ended with 140 homicides, a 7.3% decrease from 2024.
  • Overall Crime Down: Part I crime dropped 16% in 2025 compared to 2024, and 28% compared to 2023.
  • Shootings Decline: Recorded shootings fell by 28% in 2025.
  • Juvenile Violence Cut in Half: Juvenile shooting incidents have been reduced by 50% since 2022, with a 17% decline in 2025.

Why The St. Louis Evening Whirl Matters

A noir-style illustration of a detective under a streetlight with a magnifying glass.
St. Louis Crime Noir: Investigating the city’s weekly crime trends.

For decades, The Evening Whirl has served as St. Louis’ dedicated community watchdog, providing unfiltered coverage of local crime through its St. Louis Crime Chime section. This vital resource empowers residents by alerting them to emerging threats and safety hot spots, encouraging vigilance and smarter decision-making. Beyond simple reporting, the publication fosters accountability by keeping arrests and legal proceedings in the public eye, ensuring transparency within the justice system while urging neighbors to look out for one another.

While the headlines often highlight difficult realities, they also serve as a resilient call to action for community leaders and citizens alike. By staying informed through reliable sources like The Evening Whirl and official police data, residents can move beyond fear and actively participate in prevention efforts. Ultimately, engaging with these narratives transforms awareness into tangible change, helping the community write a safer chapter for the city.

What You Can Do

Stay tuned, stay safe, and remember: “If it’s crime you seek, we’ve got the streak!”

#StLouisCrime #CrimeReport #TheEveningWhirl

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