Lynn LaPlante District 4 Board Member | DuPage County
Lynn LaPlante District 4 Board Member | DuPage County
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael McLean have announced that Judge Michael Fleming has granted the State's motion to deny pre-trial release for Yonas Beyene, a Wheaton resident accused of stealing lottery tickets from an Elmhurst 7-Eleven store. Beyene, aged 37, appeared in court charged with one count of Continuing Financial Crimes Enterprise (Class 1 Felony), one count of Burglary (Class 2 Felony), and one count of Retail Theft (Class 3 Felony).
The incident occurred on December 22, 2024, when the Elmhurst Police Department responded to a report of lottery ticket theft at the store located at 155 E. First Street. It is alleged that Beyene entered the store on December 21, at around 11:17 p.m., spoke with the clerk, and was allowed to stay inside to warm up and charge his phone while waiting for a ride. At approximately 1:47 a.m., as the clerk went to the cooler, Beyene allegedly took about $730 worth of scratch-off tickets from two containers and fled.
Further investigation revealed that Beyene is suspected in several other thefts involving lottery tickets in Addison, Winfield, Carol Stream, Hanover Park, Oakbrook Terrace, and Lombard. He also has three outstanding warrants related to similar thefts. On January 3, police located him at a motel in Villa Park. Officers observed him leaving the motel in a taxi before conducting a traffic stop and taking him into custody.
“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,” said Berlin. “In this case it is alleged that Mr. Beyene first befriended an unsuspecting store clerk and then stole lottery tickets when the clerk briefly went to a back cooler.” Berlin expressed gratitude towards law enforcement agencies involved in apprehending Beyene.
McLean added: “This defendant is alleged to have victimized numerous businesses over the last three months across several counties in northern Illinois.” He praised his department's detectives for their work alongside DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin's office.
Beyene’s next court appearance is set for January 27 under Judge Brian Telander.
The public is reminded that these charges are not proof of guilt; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
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