Midlothian Gaming Cafe Hit by Fourth Break-In Since October, Three Suspects Arrested

Three suspects were arrested after breaking into Anna’s Gaming Cafe in Midlothian for the fourth time in recent months, according to police and the business operator.

The latest incident occurred at the cafe located at 147th Street and Kilbourn Avenue, where surveillance video captured the suspects shattering the glass front door and climbing through within seconds before police arrived on scene.

“Seconds after shattering and then climbing through a glass front door, the destruction continued with sledgehammers swinging and smashing gaming consoles,” the video shows, according to business operator Tom Pekic.

The suspects made off with money from at least one gaming machine before fleeing. “I don’t know the amount that they took, but they did get a box from the machine,” Pekic said. “It can’t be tolerated anymore. It’s too much.”

This marks the fourth break-in at the gaming cafe since October, creating an escalating pattern of criminal activity targeting the south suburban business. Pekic detailed the timeline of previous incidents.

“They went in in October. Then, they came back again in January on a Sunday, didn’t succeed, came back on the very next Tuesday, broke in, smashed all the windows again. And now this is the fourth time,” Pekic said.

The surveillance footage shows police lights appearing outside as officers arrived at the scene, which scared the group of suspects out of the business. The suspects then sped away in a vehicle but were quickly apprehended nearby.

“They crashed the vehicle about a block away. They scattered, and then they were caught. Three out of the six were caught,” Pekic said, indicating that six people were involved in the break-in but only three were arrested.

Police confirmed that three people from the group were caught and that charges are pending against the suspects.

The repeated break-ins have left visible damage at the cafe, with remnants of the destruction still present at the business. Despite the ongoing criminal activity targeting his establishment, Pekic expressed bewilderment at the risk the suspects took for what he considers a minimal reward.

“There’s no amount of money in those machines that’s worth risking the rest of your future,” Pekic said.

The gaming cafe has become a frequent target for thieves, with the January incidents occurring just days apart. In that case, the suspects initially failed to successfully break in on a Sunday but returned the following Tuesday to complete the burglary.

The pattern of repeat break-ins highlights ongoing security challenges facing small businesses in the south suburbs, particularly those with gaming machines that criminals may perceive as containing cash.

Despite the repeated criminal activity, Pekic says Anna’s Gaming Cafe will continue operating while undergoing repairs from the latest break-in. The business remains open to customers as it works to restore the damaged gaming consoles and repair the broken glass front door.

The investigation into the break-in continues, with three suspects in custody awaiting formal charges. Police have not released the identities of the arrested individuals or provided details about potential charges they may face.

The incident represents the latest in a series of break-ins targeting businesses across the Chicago area, as establishments with gaming equipment and cash registers continue to attract criminal activity.