6 Accused Of Stealing From Video Gaming Machines In Lake, McHenry Counties

By Sam Borcia, Lake & McHenry County Scanner

A crew of six have been charged after approximately $400,000 was stolen during burglaries targeting video gaming machines at businesses in Lake and McHenry counties and surrounding counties.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul on Thursday announced charges against Giulia Wuttke, Gino Wuttke and Alyssa Slouka alleging they broke into businesses around Illinois and stole from video gaming machines.

Raoul said members of the burglary ring targeted bars, restaurants, social clubs and other small businesses that have video poker and video gaming machines.

They broke into dozens of establishments in multiple counties and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash out of the machines, Raoul said.

The attorney general’s office was assisted by the Illinois Gaming Board and a number of law enforcement agencies, including the Illinois State Police, the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s office, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s office, the Joliet Police Department, and the Bureau, DeKalb, Grundy, Iroquois, Kendall and LaSalle county sheriffs.

“These arrests are the result of countless hours of cooperation between my office and several law enforcement agencies. I would like to thank the many agencies that collaborated with my office on this investigation and helped us break up this burglary operation,” Raoul said.

“Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation special agents are detailed to the Illinois Gaming Board to ensure the integrity of gaming within the state of Illinois,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly.

“ISP officers inspect and monitor video gaming and work to interdict illegal gambling devices and those who commit crimes. ISP will continue to work with the Attorney General’s Office to hold those who break the law accountable,” Kelly said.

Raoul’s office said that Gino Wuttke, 32, committed offenses in the counties of Bureau, Carroll, Champaign, Cook, DeKalb, Grundy, Iroquois, Kankakee, Jo Daviess, Kendall, Lee, LaSalle, Kane, Mason, McHenry, McLean, Ogle, Stephenson, Vermillion and Will.

He was charged with 41 counts of burglary, one count of theft and two counts of money laundering.

Wuttke’s bond was set at $750,000 and his next hearing is scheduled for September 8.

Gino Wuttke’s mother, Giulia Wuttke, 52, was also arrested for her alleged participation in the burglary ring.

Prosecutors said she committed offenses in the counties of Bureau, Carroll, Champaign, Cook, DeKalb, Grundy, Iroquois, Jo Daviess, Kane, Lee, LaSalle, Ogle, Mason, McLean, Vermillion and Will.

Giulia Wuttke was charged with two counts of money laundering, one count of conspiracy to commit burglary, one count of conspiracy to commit theft and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Giulia’s bond was set at $25,000 and her next hearing is scheduled for September 15.

Alyssa Slouka, 31, of Glen Ellyn, was also arrested for her alleged involvement in the burglary ring.

Prosecutors say Slouka participated in offenses that took place in the counties of Bureau, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Iroquois, Lee and Will.

She was charged with two counts of burglary, two counts of theft, two counts of money laundering, one count of conspiracy to commit burglary, one count of conspiracy to commit theft and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Slouka’s bond was set at $100,000 and her next hearing is scheduled for September 8.

In addition to the three individuals arrested, Brian Morgan, 42, of Plainfield, has been charged for his alleged participation in the burglary operation.

Prosecutors said Morgan committed offenses in the counties of Carroll, DeKalb, Grundy, Iroquois, Jo Daviess, Kendall, Lee, LaSalle, Kane, Mason, McLean, Ogle and Will.

He was charged with 24 counts of burglary, one count of theft and two counts of money laundering.

Morgan’s bond was set at $750,000 and his next hearing is scheduled for September 8.

Warrants are outstanding for two additional participants in the operation, Syed Zaidi, 41, of Romeoville, and Lucas Bailey, 40, of Wilmington.

“This case highlights the cooperation, commitment, and professionalism of different law enforcement personnel working together to fight crime,” said Illinois Gaming Board Administrator Marcus Fruchter.

“The Gaming Board will continue to work closely with all of its federal, state and local law enforcement partners to maintain the integrity and safety of gaming in Illinois,” Fruchter said.

Lake and McHenry County Scanner is a local breaking news website covering issues that matter such as shootings, stabbings, house fires, kidnappings, car accidents, and more around Lake County and McHenry County.