ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CHARGES THREE COOK COUNTY MEN IN VIDEO GAMING THEFT RING

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CHARGES THREE COOK COUNTY MEN IN VIDEO GAMING THEFT RING

July 27, 2026

Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced charges against three Cook County men for their alleged participation in a video gaming burglary ring that spanned several northeastern Illinois counties.

Raoul's office charged Devontay A. Brady, 30, of Maywood, Illinois; Anthony T. Shorter, 23, of Bellwood, Illinois; and Don E. Williams, Jr., 20, of Chicago, alleging the trio were part of a ring that stole more than $100,000 from video gaming machines in Cook, Will and Grundy counties.

"The thefts allegedly committed by this burglary crew impacted more than a dozen small businesses throughout Chicagoland," Raoul said. "I would like to thank both the Illinois Gaming Board and the Berwyn Police Department for their investigative work that led to these arrests. I look forward to continuing similar partnerships that help us hold criminals accountable across jurisdictions."

According to the Attorney General's office, from October 2025 through July 2026, Brady, Shorter and Williams worked together to steal over $100,000 from video gaming machines in Cook, Will and Grundy counties. Shorter and Brady are both currently detained in the Will County Adult Detention Facility awaiting their next court date, which is scheduled for Aug. 13. A warrant is currently outstanding for Williams.

As part of a search warrant executed in the investigation of this case on Thursday in Maywood, Illinois, Davon Meeks (who, as a rapper, goes by VonOff1700), 23, of Chicago, was arrested and charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender, a Class X felony, and one count of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, a Class 2 felony. His next court date is scheduled for Aug. 12.

Brady was charged with:

• One count of theft, a Class 1 felony.
• Nine counts of burglary, Class 2 felonies.
• Three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a repeat offender, Class X felonies.
• Two counts of armed violence, Class X felonies.

Shorter was charged with:

• One count of theft, a Class 1 felony.
• 11 counts of burglary, Class 2 felonies.
• Three counts of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, two Class 2 felonies and one a Class X felony.
• Two counts of armed violence, Class X felonies.

Williams was charged with:

• One count of theft, a Class 1 felony.
• 11 counts of burglary, Class 2 felonies.
• Three counts of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, two Class 2 felonies and one a Class X felony.
• Two counts of armed violence, Class X felonies.

The Attorney General's investigation and prosecution of the burglary ring is based on a referral from the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB).

"These charges are the result of the IGB's diligent, ongoing work to support the Illinois Attorney General's office and other law enforcement agencies statewide to hold individuals accountable for burglarizing Illinois gaming establishments," said IGB Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter. "I'm proud of our coordinated efforts. Together we will continue to uphold the integrity and safety of Illinois gaming and bring criminals to justice."

"The charges brought against these individuals underscore our unwavering commitment to combating organized crime in our communities," said Chief Michael W. Fellows with the Berwyn Police Department. "We will continue to work closely with the Attorney General's office and our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who engage in such criminal activities are held accountable."

The Tinley Park Police Department assisted in the investigation.

"The Tinley Park Police Department is proud to have partnered with the Berwyn Police Department, the Illinois Gaming Board, the Illinois Attorney General's office, the Southwest Major Crimes Unit (SWMCU), and other local law enforcement agencies during Operation Small Sledgehammer," said Chief Tom Tilton with the Tinley Park Police Department. "This complex, multi-jurisdictional investigation demonstrates what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies work together with a shared commitment to public safety.

Sentences are ultimately determined by the court, and the public is reminded that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Raoul's Statewide Grand Jury Bureau is authorized by Illinois statute to prosecute multi-county cases involving drugs, money laundering, guns or electronics and street gang related offenses. Working regularly with state and federal counterparts, the bureau focuses on complex, often large-scale, organized criminal activity.

Deputy Bureau Chief Andrew Whitfield is prosecuting the case for Raoul's Statewide Grand Jury Bureau.