Gaming machine locations target for rash of robberies

DEWITT, Ill. (WAND) - The Country Store near IL-54 is the latest gaming location to be broken into and robbed.

The robbers cut off the power to the buildings before entering, breaking the machines, and stealing the cash from inside them.

"They got into the gambling machines and took the cash out of there," DeWitt County Sheriff Mike Walker said. "One of the things that is intriguing about this is that prior to entering the building, they were able to disable the power to the building."

Walker has heard from Shelby and Christian Counties about similar break ins and believes they are connected.

"I described what happened here and they had a similar situation down in Cowden and we think that they're tied," Sheriff Walker said. "They are similar individuals, they resemble each other, and we've seen the videos from that incident."

Sheriff Walker is asking people to keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary.

"When these things happen we have people come forward and say well 'I heard somebody doing something but I didn't want to bother you guys because it was late at night.'" Sheriff Walker went on to say, "If you hear something or see something, let us know so we can come take a look so we're not behind the 8-ball trying to play catch up."