A recent string of lottery ticket thefts in DuPage County reached a turning point with the arrest of 37-year-old Wheaton resident Yonas Beyene. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Beyene stands accused of committing a series of burglaries targeting convenience stores' lottery tickets across towns such as Elmhurst, Addison, and Lombard. He was charged with continuing financial crimes enterprise, burglary, and retail theft.
Following his recent apprehension, Beyene appeared in court where he was denied pre-trial release, according to details shared by FOX 32 Chicago. During the proceedings, information was revealed about a Dec. 22 incident where Beyene allegedly lifted $730 worth of scratch-off tickets from a 7-Eleven in Elmhurst after having been allowed to stay in the store to warm up, authorities stated. Beyene's previous run-ins with the law include three outstanding warrants for theft.
The arrest took place after Beyene left a Villa Park motel and entered a taxi, ultimately leading to a traffic stop by local police which resulted in his apprehension. The DuPage County State’s Attorney's office has taken a stern stance on the matter. "It is alleged that for the past several months, Mr. Beyene entered multiple convenience stores throughout the Chicagoland area and then stole lottery tickets once given the opportunity," stated DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin, in a statement obtained by FOX 32 Chicago.
Beyene's alleged modus operandi involved gaining the trust of store clerks before taking his chance to steal, "IIn this case, it is alleged that Mr. Beyene first befriended un unsuspecting store clerk and then stole lottery tickets when the clerk briefly went to a back cooler," Berlin outlined, as per FOX 32 Chicago. The combined efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies and the Illinois Lottery were highlighted in the success of the arrest, with a nod to the cooperation that spanned multiple jurisdictions and counties. Beyene's next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 27.
