Video Poker Burglar Strikes Again

Two more business establishments fell victim this week to a mysterious burglar who has been in the habit of breaking into taverns and specifically raiding video poker machines.

At around 2:45 a.m. on Thursday July 13, a burglar alarm was heard at Mike's tavern, located at 626 N. Cedar Avenue. Peoria County sheriff's deputies quickly responded to the distress signal.

When police authorities arrived at the scene, the door has been left ajar and two gambling machines were missing. It was reported that the only property disturbed were the gambling machines, as the cash register and tip jar were left untouched.

A similar incident happened the day before on Wednesday. Police were called at about 4:30 a.m. to Norwood South, 1039 S. Laramie Ave., in unincorporated Peoria, following the reports of a burglary.

A burglar had pried open a door and looted the contents of three poker machines, stealing an undetermined amount of cash.

Five similar incidences of burglary have occured in South Peoria since July 1. A pattern has been observed where each time, the burglar breaks open a door, then empties video poker machines of their cash.

The bars mostly employ alarm systems, however the slippery thief does the operation in an estimated ten minutes and is out of the scene before the police arrive.

August 09, 2006
Michael Orwell