DOLTON, ILLINOIS — A Dolton bar and lounge is temporarily closed after a crew of masked thieves used sledgehammers to smash their way into the business and steal cash from gaming machines early Wednesday morning. The owner, who says this is the third time his establishment has been targeted, believes the thieves knew exactly when to strike.
The burglary occurred at Lucky Star Entertainment on Sibley Boulevard. Surveillance video captured the suspects, described as three or four men in dark clothing and ski masks, in the act.
A "Terrible" Attack
Police believe the suspects used sledgehammers to shatter the front glass door to gain entry. Once inside, they immediately targeted the gaming machines.
"This is the damage that they did. The machines tore up," said owner Mike Edmund, pointing out the destruction. "They got one cash box right here... they couldn't get this one out but they was right at it. But look at this machine; it was terrible."
Edmund said the crew destroyed three machines and appeared to attempt to break into the ATM as well.
Police Pursuit and Expert Insight
Dolton police were notified of the burglary by an alarm. As officers arrived, the suspects fled the scene in a black Dodge Challenger with no visible registration. Police initiated a brief chase but were forced to terminate the pursuit because of the suspects' dangerously high speeds.
Edmund shared the surveillance footage in hopes that someone might recognize the crew, noting one suspect wore bright blue pants and white Nikes.
The timing of the robbery has raised suspicions. Edmund said the thieves hit just hours before the cash boxes were scheduled for their regular, twice-weekly pickup.
Anthony Riccio, a retired Chicago police deputy superintendent, said this was "definitely not a coincidence." He believes the thieves likely planned the attack and had inside knowledge of the business's operations.
"These guys knew that those machines would be loaded with cash. They knew there were several days' worth of cash inside those machines," Riccio said. "The timing is all about what they knew... and they knew that that was the night to hit."
Riccio added that businesses like this are often repeat targets because the crime is both lucrative and relatively easy. Edmund expects to be closed for several days to repair the extensive damage.
