Overview
- Police chiefs from south and southwest suburban departments say they are pooling resources and strategies to catch burglars who have been breaking into businesses for cash boxes in gaming machines.
- At Hashtag 95 in Oak Lawn, four burglars around 5 a.m. used sledgehammers to shatter a window and pry open slot machines in a connected gaming room.
- The gaming operator had collected cash earlier that morning, so the crew got little money despite smashed machine screens and other damage that disrupted the small business.
- Surveillance reviewed by the owner showed an Oak Lawn police patrol in the lot near 4 a.m., the crew circling before striking, and the thieves briefly retreating when an SUV arrived before returning to finish the break-in.
- Investigators are reviewing traffic camera footage and have not confirmed whether one crew is responsible for all incidents, as departments increase patrols and urge witnesses to avoid intervening and share any details with police.