Five Masked Robbers Smash Into Gaming Machines At Lake Co. Gas Station: Police

GREEN OAKS, IL — Five masked offenders used sledgehammers and crowbars to break into gaming machines at a Green Oaks gas station early Wednesday morning, authorities said.

Deputies responded around 3:35 a.m. on Wednesday to a gas station in the 14000 block of West Rockland Road for a reported armed robbery. When deputies arrived, the clerk told officers five offenders wearing masks and gloves entered the business and used sledgehammers and crowbars to break into several gaming machines, according to police.

The robbers also broke into a cash register drawer, according to the sheriff's office. A sixth offender remained outside in a black SUV, which was last seen fleeing south on Interstate 294 at a high rate of speed.

A private security guard hired by the gaming company was inside the business during the incident, the sheriff's office said.

Detectives with the Lake County Sheriff's Criminal Investigations Division are investigating.

Authorities said detectives from Lake County and other Chicagoland agencies have formed a task force to investigate a series of gaming machine burglaries occurring throughout the region.