Suspect befriended clerk before allegedly stealing lottery scratchers

A man in Illinois has been accused of stealing hundreds of dollars worth of lottery tickets from a 7-Eleven in Elmhurst. Officials said the suspect has been targeting convenience stores throughout northern Illinois over the past several months. In doing so, he was earning the trust of the employees before he would then take advantage of them while they were busy working. He did this by allegedly stealing Illinois Lottery scratch-off tickets.

The latest theft in the Wheaton man's crime spree involved him reaching around a display and taking almost $730 worth of instant tickets while the clerk stepped away from the counter. Police said they think this was all part of a group of thefts that have been happening in nearby towns. After an investigation, the suspect was arrested, and the crime spree had come to an end.

Befriending the store clerk

On December 22, 2024, officers from the Elmhurst Police Department responded to a call at 7-Eleven, located at 155 E. First Street in Elmhurst, regarding a lottery ticket theft. Investigators determined that around 11:17 p.m. CT on December 21, 2024, Yonas Beyene, 37, entered the 7-Eleven and spoke to the clerk. After the conversation, the clerk allowed Beyene to remain in the store so he could warm up and charge his cell phone while he waited for a ride.

Around 1:47 a.m. CT on December 22, 2024, the clerk went to the cooler. During that same time, Beyene allegedly reached around the lottery display, took about $730 worth of scratch-off tickets, and then fled the store with tickets as the clerk returned from the cooler.

During the investigation, authorities determined Beyene was a suspect in several other burglaries involving the theft of lottery tickets in Addison, Winfield, Carol Stream, Hanover Park, Oakbrook Terrace, and Lombard. He also had three outstanding warrants for theft of lottery tickets.

The arrest

After the investigation and search for the suspect, officials were able to locate Beyene at a motel in Villa Park on January 3, 2025. Officers were surveilling the motel and saw Beyene leave the motel and get into a taxi. Police then performed a traffic stop on the taxi and Beyene was taken into custody.

In a statement, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said Beyene allegedly stole tickets from multiple convenience stores in the Chicagoland area over the past several months and “this type of chronic victimization of our retail establishments will not be tolerated in DuPage County,” and he was happy to bring Beyene's alleged crime spree to an end.

First court appearance

On January 4, 2025, Beyene appeared in First Appearance Court for the first time and was charged with one count of continuing financial crimes enterprise, one count of burglary, and one count of retail theft.

While Beyene's legal team was hoping to get Beyene released on bond until his next court date, Judge Michael Fleming granted the State's motion to deny pre-trial release for the Wheaton man. His next court appearance is scheduled for January 27 in front of Judge Brian Telander.

Enjoy playing the Illinois Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.