By AP/KWMU
East St. Louis, Ill. – About 100 felony cases in the Metro-East have been thrown into doubt because someone has stolen the evidence from the East St. Louis Police Department. It's the third theft from the police department in the past five years.
St. Clair County State's Attorney Robert Haida says guns and drugs are among the items missing, including items from as many as 70 murder, robbery, and violent crimes.
He says the missing evidence will make those cases harder to prosecute.
Meanwhile, East St. Louis Mayor Carl Officer says he believes the break-in was an inside job aimed at covering up corruption within the department.