Law Enforcement Combines Efforts to Combat Video Gambling Machine Burglaries

Suburban law enforcement agencies are collaborating to address a surge of smash-and-grab burglaries targeting video gambling machines in restaurants, bars, and other establishments. A newly formed task force, comprising over 50 detectives from police departments and sheriff’s offices in Cook, Lake, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Will counties, has come together to share intelligence and to coordinate efforts in tracking down and apprehending the criminals responsible.

Chief Christopher Covelli of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office stated that detectives and law enforcement personnel are dedicating considerable time and resources to these investigations. They are working across jurisdictional lines to connect cases, share detailed information, and develop leads. Each day sees police in a different suburb responding to new incidences of thieves targeting video gambling terminals.

Recent break-ins have affected several places, including a restaurant and a gambling cafe in Schaumburg, gas stations in Wheeling and Green Oaks, a bar in New Lenox, and a truck stop in Peotone. For instance, Frato’s Kitchen & Gaming in Schaumburg faced a break-in early Tuesday, necessitating a two-day closure to clean up shattered glass and damage. Though the restaurant planned to reopen its dining area by Thursday night, its gambling terminals were destroyed and will not be replaced until the following week. This has resulted in several days of lost revenue and increased costs due to enhanced security measures.

Organized Criminal Activity

The perpetrators of these burglaries commonly operate in groups of six to 12 individuals. They arrive at their targets, often in stolen vehicles, and employ tools like sledgehammers and crowbars to gain entry. After entering, they proceed to smash open the video gambling machines, steal cash, and depart quickly, typically at high speeds.

Covelli noted that these are highly organized groups, likely linked to street gangs. Besides local law enforcement, the task force includes the Illinois attorney general’s office and the Illinois Gaming Board, the lead agency in these cases given their connection to gambling terminals.

Covelli emphasized the importance of ongoing collaboration and investigative efforts by the task force in identifying those responsible and successfully resolving these cases.