Alton Officer of the Month Solves Major Burglary Case

ALTON - The Alton Police Department has named Officer Austin Cross its Officer of the Month after he investigated a residential burglary that led to the recovery of stolen property and the detention of a suspect wanted in other cases.

The Alton Police Department said Cross responded on Jan. 7, 2026, to a burglary on Alby Street in Alton. What began as a single call “quickly turned into an outstanding investigation,” the department said.

Using GPS tracking from stolen property and working with a key witness, Cross identified and located a suspect, according to the police department. The suspect was already wanted in two other Alton burglary cases.

“Through persistence, strong communication, and attention to detail, Officer Cross recovered stolen items from this case and linked evidence to several other burglaries across Alton and Madison County,” the department said.

The suspect “now faces multiple felony charges and was taken into custody,” the department said, adding that the action “likely prevented additional crimes and helped bring closure to victims.”

“Residential burglaries deeply impact victims. They violate the place people feel safest—their home,” the department said. “Officer Cross went above and beyond, showing dedication and strong investigative instincts.”

The department also noted that Cross is “early in his career,” and said his work reflects “great potential and commitment to serving our community.”

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