Illinois Police Arrested Two For Gaming Parlor Burglaries
Two men from Decatur and Macon were apprehended following a string of thefts targeting local gaming establishments.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Property Crime
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Authorities arrested two suspects on September 14 after a series of break-ins at gaming parlors and bars across Illinois. The men are accused of using sledgehammers and crowbars to steal ATMs and cash boxes after cutting power to the buildings.
Why it matters
The arrests come as law enforcement agencies across the state combat a rising trend of organized burglaries targeting video gaming terminals. These crimes have resulted in significant financial losses for local small businesses.
Two suspects were arrested on September 14 at BB's B.F.E. Bar & Grill in Latham following an investigation involving cellular data tracking. Police have recovered burglary tools, cash boxes, and allegedly stolen vehicles associated with the crimes.
The players
Nellie's Tavern
This establishment is a business in Decatur that was targeted during a burglary on July 17.
Debbie's Gaming
This gaming parlor was the site of an attempted ATM theft on July 30.
BB's B.F.E. Bar & Grill
This location in Latham served as the site where authorities arrested the two suspects on September 14.
The details
The suspects allegedly gained entry to businesses by accessing roofs and cutting power before utilizing sledgehammers and crowbars to smash machines and remove ATMs. Authorities connected the pair to specific incidents, including a July 17 theft at Nellie's Tavern and a July 30 attempted theft at Debbie's Gaming.
Timeline
2025: 473 gaming-related burglaries were reported in Illinois.
June 22, 2026: The state recorded 502 gaming-related burglaries.
July 17, 2026: An ATM was stolen from Nellie's Tavern in Decatur.
July 30, 2026: An attempted ATM theft occurred at Debbie's Gaming.
September 14, 2026: Police arrested the two suspects in Latham.
Legal Context
These arrests reflect a broader effort by law enforcement to address a surge of 502 gaming-related burglaries reported in Illinois by June 2026. This crime wave has hit over 100 municipalities, outpacing the 473 total incidents recorded throughout the entire year of 2025.
Local business owners in gaming parlors and taverns may need to implement enhanced security measures, such as fortified roof access and improved alarm systems. The investigation remains ongoing as police look into whether these suspects are connected to other unsolved crimes in the region.
The takeaway
Business owners should assess their current security protocols, especially roof and power-source protection, to deter similar opportunistic burglaries. These arrests highlight the value of digital evidence like cell phone data in solving organized criminal activities.
Further reading
For more information on regional crime trends, visit the Property Crime section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by GamblingNews.
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