By WMBD TV
MCLEAN COUNTY – The state’s top prosecutor announced charges against five men for a burglary ring that resulted in dozens of video gaming machines being stolen across Illinois including in McLean and DeWitt counties.
Attorney General Kwame Raoul said John Friedrich, 35, of Streator; Joseph Montoro, 39, of Berwyn; Sebastian Perez, 41, of Chicago; Jacob Sickel, 20, of Brookfield; and Don Wiley, 53, of University Park, with multiple felonies for an alleged string of 22 burglaries in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Champaign, Lake, Tazewell, DeWitt, Peoria, Kankakee, McLean and Will counties.
“The thefts allegedly committed by this burglary ring impacted dozens of businesses and counties, targeting gas stations, bars and small video gaming machine parlors,” Raoul said.
The charges include theft, money laundering, burglary and attempted burglary. Each man faces different counts and charges. The cases are being prosecuted by the attorney general’s office in DuPage County Circuit Court.
According to Raoul’s office, the ring operated from January to November 2023 and the men allegedly stole more than $100,000 from video gaming machines in Cook, the collar counties and Central Illinois.
The Attorney General’s investigation and prosecution of the burglary ring is based on a referral from the Illinois Gaming Board.
“The IGB was pleased to partner with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and other local law enforcement agencies in dismantling this video gaming burglary ring and bringing these criminals to justice,” said IGB Administrator Marcus Fruchter. “The IGB will continue working with our state and local partners on criminal investigations statewide to ensure and uphold the integrity and safety of gaming in Illinois.”
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