Burglars Use Sledgehammers to Target Slot Machines in Oak Lawn Restaurant Break-In

An Oak Lawn dining establishment became the target of a destructive early morning break-in on February 5, 2026, when burglars armed with sledgehammers broke into the business and ransacked its gaming area.

According to police reports and details from the scene, the perpetrators utilized heavy sledgehammers to shatter the restaurant's entrance and gain entry. Once inside, they bypassed other valuables and headed straight for the establishment's slot machines. Using the same tools, the suspects smashed the machines open to gain access to the cash boxes inside before fleeing the scene prior to the arrival of law enforcement.

Detectives are currently reviewing surveillance footage from the restaurant and neighboring businesses. The Oak Lawn Police Department is asking anyone with information regarding the incident or suspicious vehicles in the area during the early morning hours of February 5 to contact the department's criminal investigations division. The incident highlights a growing concern among local business owners regarding security for establishments operating video gaming terminals.