A quiet early morning in Midlothian, Illinois turned into a chaotic crime scene when six individuals armed with sledgehammers forced their way into a local gaming café, causing extensive damage and making off with at least one money box before police closed in.
Break-In at Anna's Gaming Cafe
Midlothian police were dispatched to Anna's Gaming Cafe at approximately 4:30 a.m. on March 4 after receiving a burglary-in-progress call. Surveillance footage captured six suspects entering the business through a smashed glass door, then swinging sledgehammers at gaming machines in an attempt to reach the cash boxes inside.
The suspects managed to access only one money box before officers arrived on scene, cutting the theft short. As the group fled, their vehicle crashed near a hill, allowing police to detain three of the six individuals. Authorities are actively working to bring charges against those in custody, while the search for the remaining three suspects continues.
The Damage Left Behind
The physical toll on the business was significant. According to Tom Pekic, operations manager at the Anna's Gaming Cafe location in Hoffman Estates, the aftermath goes well beyond broken glass and damaged machines.
- Shattered front glass door
- Multiple gaming machines damaged from sledgehammer strikes
- Floor damage throughout the affected area
- Revenue loss from both the theft and disruption to normal operations
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Anna's Gaming Cafe confirmed it remains open for business despite the damage, though repairs and cleanup are ongoing.
Pekic spoke to WGN-TV via Zoom, describing the dual impact of incidents like this on a gaming café's reputation and bottom line. "It's horrible because it's twofold," he said. “As far as my objective is to have people come and visit. And when we pride ourselves on a clean, comfortable environment and then someone hears that that establishment is broken into, there's that question: Should I go somewhere else?”
A Pattern Targeting Gaming Cafés
What makes this incident particularly concerning is that it is not an isolated event. Pekic confirmed that Anna's Gaming Cafe locations and other gaming cafés in the Chicago south suburbs have been targeted by thieves on multiple occasions previously. The pattern suggests that gaming establishments with on-site money boxes are increasingly being viewed as targets by organized groups.
The business model of gaming cafés, which typically relies on coin-operated or token-based machines, makes cash reserves a visible and accessible target for would-be burglars, especially during overnight hours when staff are absent.
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Gaming café operators in the region may want to review overnight security measures, including reinforced entry points and remote monitoring systems, given the repeat nature of these incidents.
Midlothian police have not yet released the names of those taken into custody, and the investigation remains active. The broader question of how gaming venues can better protect themselves from coordinated smash-and-grab attacks is one the industry may need to address more directly as incidents like this continue to surface.
Source: Wgntv
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Anna's Gaming Cafe still open after the burglary?
Yes. Despite the significant damage caused during the break-in, Anna's Gaming Cafe in Midlothian confirmed it remains open for business while repairs are underway.
How many suspects were involved in the Anna's Gaming Cafe burglary?
Surveillance footage showed six individuals entering the business armed with sledgehammers. Police arrested three of them after their vehicle crashed during the escape. The remaining three suspects had not been apprehended as of the initial report.
What did the thieves take from Anna's Gaming Cafe?
The suspects were targeting the money boxes inside the gaming machines. They successfully accessed only one money box before police arrived on scene, limiting the financial loss from the theft itself, though property damage was extensive.
