Mars Bar Lounge in Summit says thieves smashed their way into the neighborhood spot in the early hours of Thursday and went straight for the bar's video gaming terminals, leaving behind shattered equipment, heavy damage and missing cash. The family-run business called the hit both financially painful and a major disruption to daily operations. Even so, the owners say they plan to stay open through the weekend and are asking regulars to swing by and show support.
As reported by FOX 32 Chicago, Mars Bar shared photos of the wrecked machines on social media and used the post to warn other small-business owners to stay alert. The station noted that the owners detailed both the damage and the losses, and again urged patrons to help the family-run bar get through the aftermath. According to FOX 32, the break-in appears to fit a pattern of similar hits across the Chicagoland suburbs.
Part of a regional smash-and-grab wave
The burglary in Summit mirrors a months-long run of overnight break-ins that have targeted video gambling terminals at suburban businesses. Prosecutors have already charged suspects in multiple cases this year, and law enforcement created a task force to track crews that use crowbars and sledgehammers to crack open machines, according to CBS Chicago. Investigators say these raids are typically fast and brutally destructive, leaving owners with steep repair bills even when the thieves make off with relatively little cash.
How big the problem is
State data and reporting show just how sharply the trend has climbed. Illinois Gaming Board numbers cited by the Chicago Sun-Times recorded about 473 burglaries at locations with video gambling in 2025, with operators reporting more than $2.7 million stolen. The Sun-Times quoted business owners who called the pace and boldness of the raids unprecedented, and reported that some operators are weighing heavy shielding or even removing machines altogether to avoid repeat attacks. Municipal officials say the structural damage and repair costs often exceed whatever the crews manage to steal.
Mars Bar's response
Mars Bar's owners told FOX 32 Chicago they shared the break-in publicly to raise awareness and to warn nearby businesses that thieves are targeting gaming machines. Staff are working through repairs and tallying losses while keeping the doors open for weekend service. In their post, the owners urged customers to come out, have a drink and help the family business recover from the costly damage.
Arrests and the probe
Prosecutors have charged multiple suspects in related burglaries this year, and recent fourth suspect nabbed in video gambling smash-and-grabs coverage describes arrests tied to a broader string of hits. Police are still asking anyone with security footage or other tips to contact their local departments as investigators work to identify remaining suspects.
What owners can do
Operators who rely on video gaming terminals say practical security upgrades such as bolting machines to the floor, adding metal enclosures, improving exterior lighting and beefing up camera coverage can help deter crews or at least aid investigators. Some smaller businesses are even considering pulling the machines temporarily until the pattern slows or police step up patrols. For now, owners are stuck doing the math, weighing prevention costs against the steady revenue those terminals bring in.
