Four individuals are facing charges over their alleged participation in a statewide video gaming burglary ring.
Alleged Burglary Ring Members Face Charges in Illinois
On Thursday, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul released details regarding the recent arrests of three individuals believed to be involved in a burglary ring that operated in multiple Illinois counties. The Attorney General said charges have been filed against Giulia and Gino Wuttke and Alyssa Slouka, over their alleged participation in the burglary ring that stole $400,000 from video gaming machines. Brian Morgan, 42, of Plainfield, Illinois also faces charges for his alleged participation in the burglary ring.
The criminal charges are the result of collaborative efforts between the Attorney General’s office, the Illinois State Police, the Illinois Gaming Board, as well as law enforcement and Attorney’s offices in multiple counties.
“Members of this burglary ring allegedly targeted bars, restaurants, social clubs and other small businesses that have video poker and video gaming machines. They broke into dozens of these establishments in multiple counties and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash out of the machines.“
Kwame Raoul, Illinois Attorney General
Raoul commented on the topic in a statement by saying that the alleged members of the uncovered burglary ring primarily targeted businesses that had video poker and video gaming machines. He explained that in multiple counties, businesses were broken into and gambling machines were robbed, resulting in the theft of thousands of dollars. Raoul acknowledged that the arrests and charges are the result of the collaboration of multiple law enforcement agencies. In conclusion, he thanked all agencies involved in the case.
Defendants Face Multiple Charges
A statement released by the Attorney General alleges Gino Wuttke committed a significant number of offenses in multiple counties such as Cook, DeKalb, Carroll, Lee, Kane and Will, to name a few. As a result, Gino Wuttke was charged with 41 counts of burglary, which is a Class 2 felony punishable by up to 14 years in prison for each count. The man also faces one count of theft, which is punishable by up to 30 years in prison as a Class 1 felony, as well as two counts of money laundering, punishable by up to 14 years in prison as a Class 2 felony.
Gino Wuttke’s mother, Giulia Wuttke, a Chatsworth, Illinois resident was also arrested over allegations of participating in the burglary ring. According to the Attorney General, the 52-year-old woman allegedly committed multiple offenses in different counties. Consequently, she was charged with two counts of money laundering and one count of conspiracy to commit burglary. Giulia Wuttke faces other charges that include one count of conspiracy to commit theft, as well as one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and each of those Class 3 felony offenses is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Bonds Are Set, Hearings Scheduled for September
Police arrested Alyssa Slouka, 31, of Glen Ellyn, Illinois over her alleged involvement in the ring as well. Her charges include two counts of burglary, two counts of theft as well as two counts of money laundering. Slouka was also charged with one count of conspiracy to commit burglary, one count of conspiracy to commit theft and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Besides Slouka, Gino and Giulia Wuttke, the Attorney General filed charges against Brian Morgan, a 42-year-old Plainfield, Illinois resident who is believed to have participated in the burglary operation. Morgan, currently serving in prison for unrelated charges, now faces 24 counts of burglary, one count of theft, as well as two counts of money laundering.
His bond for this criminal case is set at $750,000 and his hearing is set for September 8. On the other hand, Gino Wuttke’s next hearing is planned for September 8 and has a bond set at $750,000. His mother, Giulia Wuttke’s bond is set at $25,000, while her next hearing is planned for September 15. Slouka’s bond was set at $100,000 and her hearing is planned for September 8.