Metro East Law Enforcement Tackles Surge in Gaming Machine Robberies

ST. CLAIR COUNTY Ill. (First Alert 4) – Since Saturday, a group of burglars has pilfered thousands of dollars from video gaming terminals situated within convenience stores.

As reported by the Fairview Heights Police Department, at some point on Saturday, the culprits utilized a screwdriver or similar tool to breach gaming machines at the Hucks convenience store on Lincoln Highway. They absconded with $2,400 in cash and inflicted $1,500 in damages.

In the early hours of Sunday around 12:30 a.m., the thieves compromised machines located in a video gaming area at the Mobile On The Run on Route 3 in Waterloo. A mere thirty minutes later, they succeeded in stealing over $8,000 from gaming terminals at the Moto Mart on Route 15 in Red Bud.

“One of the individuals entered the gaming room while the other two distracted the clerk, while the one in the game room forced open the gaming machine,” stated Red Bud Police Chief John Bittingham.

In recent months, burglars have similarly pilfered cash from gaming machines in locations in Mascoutah and Belleville.

One complication that may be assisting the criminals is the difficulty for store clerks to monitor activities inside gaming rooms to witness the thieves in action. Certain gaming rooms feature doors with small panes, while others contain darkened glass doors.

However, gaming rooms are equipped with high-quality surveillance systems, as per Bittingham.

“These cameras provide excellent facial detail. Therefore, I believe this has significantly aided the investigation,” he remarked.

Authorities are making headway in their inquiries. A rented Nissan vehicle presumed to have been used by the thieves has been recovered.

Fairview Heights police indicated they have identified two suspects and possess active warrants for their arrest. Mascoutah authorities reported they have charged three suspects who have not yet been apprehended.

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