The Illinois Attorney General has charged three suspects with participating in a burglary ring that netted over $500,000 and targeted businesses in Lake County and the Chicagoland area.
Anibal Alvarado III, 32, of River Grove; Diego A. Gonzalez, 22, of Chicago; and Doel J. Pizarro, 32, of River Grove, were charged with multiple felonies for an alleged string of 16 burglaries in DuPage, Cook, Lake and Will counties.
“Multiple small businesses, including gas stations, bars and small video gaming machine parlors were impacted when this burglary ring allegedly stole hundreds and thousands of dollars,” Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said.
“I am proud of the countless hours of investigative work and close collaborations between my office and several law enforcement agencies that put a stop to this burglary ring, and I look forward to continuing similar partnerships that help us hold criminals accountable across jurisdictions,” Raoul said.
The attorney general’s investigation and prosecution of the burglary ring was based on a referral from the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB).
“I am proud of the collaborative efforts of the IGB, Illinois Attorney General’s Office, Illinois State Police (ISP) Tinley Park Police, Palos Hills Police, River Grove Police Departments as well as the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System as we were successful in bringing these offenders to justice following a year-long investigation,” IGB Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter said.
“The IGB will continue to work with other state and local agencies to uphold the integrity and safety of gaming and arrest criminals who target Illinois gaming establishments,” Fruchter said.
The attorney general’s office said it worked with a dozen local law enforcement agencies throughout the course of the complex investigation.
Raoul said the three men worked together from August 2024 to May 2025 to steal over $500,000 from video gaming machines at multiple locations through DuPage, Cook, Lake and Will counties.
Grand jury indictments said the crew targeted video gaming machine terminals and stole cash from them at Sofia’s Place in Island Lake, Flanagan’s Bar and Grill in North Chicago, Celine’s Cafe in Melrose Park, Kiki’s Cafe in Wheeling, Tracy’s Cafe in Oak Forest, Gas Depot in Addison, Twin-Dor in Joliet, Rosa’s in Chicago Ridge, Durbin’s in Palos Hills, Postgame Pub in Mokena, Nick’s BBQ in Tinley Park, Little Joe’s Pizza in Tinley Park, Driftwood Grille in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois Bar and Grill in Lemont and Darla’s Cafe and Deli in Tinley Park.
Alvarado was charged with one count of theft between $10,000 and $100,000 and two counts of burglary.
Gonzalez was charged with one count of theft between $100,000 and $1 million and 13 counts of burglary.
Pizarro was charged with one count of theft between $500,000 and $1 million and 15 counts of burglary.