Eight Masked Offenders Rob Peotone Travel Center, Damage Gaming Machines

Article Summary: Eight masked offenders entered the Peotone Travel Center early in the morning, damaged six video gaming machines and took an unknown amount of cash before fleeing in two Acura vehicles, the Peotone Police Department said. No one was injured, and the department said the investigation is active.

Robbery Investigation Key Points:

The robbery was reported at about 4:58 a.m.; police said the offenders were inside the business for less than three minutes.

Police said eight masked and gloved offenders arrived in two Acura vehicles, one white and one gray, neither displaying registration plates.

Six poker machines were damaged and an unknown amount of currency was taken from cash boxes, according to the department.

Anyone who saw either vehicle or suspicious activity in the area around that time is asked to contact the Peotone Police Department.

PEOTONE — Eight masked offenders robbed the Peotone Travel Center at about 4:58 a.m. recently, damaging six video gaming machines and taking an unknown amount of cash before fleeing, the Peotone Police Department said.

Based on a preliminary investigation and surveillance footage, the department said eight masked and gloved offenders were involved. They arrived in two Acura vehicles — one white and one gray — and neither vehicle displayed registration plates, police said.

Five of the offenders entered the business and damaged six poker machines while two guarded the entrance and one acted as a lookout near Wilmington-Peotone Road, according to the department. Police said the group was inside the business for less than three minutes and removed an unknown amount of currency from the machines’ cash boxes before fleeing.

Officers arrived shortly after the offenders left the area, the department said. No one was injured, and no one was playing the machines at the time, according to police.

The department declined to release specifics about where officers were when the call came in or how quickly they arrived. “We know exactly where our officers were when this call was received and exactly how quickly they responded after the offenders fled,” the department said in its statement. “Those specific details will not be released publicly, as there is no reason to provide offenders with information that could assist them in committing future crimes.”

Police said they are reviewing surveillance footage and other available evidence. Anyone who observed a white or gray Acura without registration plates, or any suspicious activity in the area around 4:58 a.m., is asked to contact the Peotone Police Department.

The department said additional information will be released when appropriate.