One of the most recent thefts took place on December 22 at a 7-Eleven store in Elmhurst. According to the police, Beyene stole $730 worth of scratch-off lottery tickets from two containers inside the store. The crime happened at around 1:47 a.m., but police say Beyene had entered the store earlier, at about 11:15 p.m. The store clerk let him stay inside to warm up and charge his phone while waiting for a ride.
While the clerk was in the cooler, Beyene reached over to the display where the lottery tickets were kept and took them without paying. He then left the store with the stolen tickets.
The DuPage County prosecutors stated that Beyene is suspected of being behind several other similar thefts in the area, and they are continuing to investigate.
Beyene’s arrest marks the end of a string of lottery ticket thefts, and authorities are now working to gather more evidence in connection with the other thefts he is accused of committing.
