Money Stolen From Westmont Gambling Cafe's Machines: Cops

WESTMONT, IL – A half dozen men last month used sledgehammers to break into four gambling machines at a Westmont restaurant, local police said.

The men obtained an unknown amount of money from the cash boxes, according to a police report obtained through Patch's public records request.

About 3 a.m. Aug. 17, Westmont police were alerted to a burglary alarm at Stella's Place cafe, 834 E. Ogden Ave., which is just off Route 83.

Stella's alarm company told police it saw six people in all black armed with sledgehammers and crowbars.

Officers found the front glass door and four gambling machines broken. An eight-point sledgehammer was left on the floor, and a marijuana pouch was discovered near the front door, police said.

Shortly after, Oak Brook police reported seeing a white Maserati and dark Jeep SUV, both with no registration, speeding north on Interstate 294 from Ogden Avenue, according to the report.

Stella's owns a chain of gambling cafes across the Chicago area.

In the last year, Stella's in Westmont made $774,000 in after-tax income from its terminals, according to state data.

In Westmont, Stella's ranks sixth in gambling income. The top earner in the last year was Fremont Bar & Grill, at $944,000.