PEOTONE, IL — Peotone police are investigating after a crew of eight targeted gaming machines at the Peotone Travel Center Thursday morning.
At approximately 4:58 a.m. Thursday, a group of masked suspects entered the business at 601 S 88th Ave., damaged multiple video gaming machines and fled, police said.
Based on the preliminary investigation and surveillance footage, eight masked and gloved offenders were involved. The offenders arrived in two Acura vehicles — one white and one gray. Neither vehicle displayed registration plates, police said.
During the robbery, five suspects entered the business and damaged six poker machines, while two guarded the entrance and one acted as a lookout near Wilmington-Peotone Road. The suspects were inside the business for less than three minutes.
Police said the suspects also removed an unknown amount of currency from the cash boxes before fleeing the scene.
Peotone police officers arrived very shortly after the suspects left the area. No one was injured, and no one was playing the machines at the time of the robbery, police said.
"We know exactly where our officers were when this call was received and exactly how quickly they responded after the offenders fled," police said. "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."
The Peotone Police Department is actively investigating this incident and reviewing surveillance footage and other available evidence.
Anyone who may have seen a white Acura 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.
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