Two men in Illinois are facing felony charges after allegedly robbing a couple who had just won big at a casino, only to accidentally steal their dinner in the process.
The bizarre incident took place on Saturday evening in East Peoria, Illinois, when a couple exited the Par-A-Dice Casino with a substantial amount of cash in hand. As they were making their way to their car, they were approached by two men who demanded the money at gunpoint.
According to police reports, the couple handed over the cash and the suspects quickly fled the scene on foot. However, in their haste to make a quick getaway, the robbers accidentally snagged the couple’s takeout bag containing their dinner.
The couple immediately reported the incident to the East Peoria Police Department, who were able to track down the suspects based on descriptions provided by the victims. The two men were apprehended a short time later and placed under arrest.
Upon searching the suspects, police recovered the stolen cash as well as the couple’s dinner, which had luckily not been consumed during the chaotic ordeal. The men were identified as 23-year-old Allen Sanders and 28-year-old Brian Thompson, both of Peoria.
Sanders and Thompson have been charged with armed robbery and are currently being held at the Tazewell County Jail pending a court appearance. The couple, who have chosen to remain anonymous, were not injured during the incident and were grateful to have their money and their dinner returned to them.
This strange and slightly comical twist to a typically serious crime has left residents of East Peoria scratching their heads and wondering just how far criminals will go for a quick score. Despite the humor in the situation, armed robbery is a serious offense that carries severe penalties, and Sanders and Thompson are likely to face a lengthy prison sentence if convicted.
As for the couple, they have vowed to be more careful with their winnings in the future and are grateful to law enforcement for swiftly resolving the situation. The lesson learned? Always keep a tight grip on your money, and don’t let hungry criminals ruin your dinner plans.