BELLEVILLE — Ambitious thieves tried to steal a lottery machine from the Casey's General Store on Mascoutah Avenue, according to Belleville police.

Captain Don Sax said police responded to the business at about 3:20 a.m. Monday after a neighbor called and reported the business alarm was sounding.

Officers arrived and observed the front door was broken out with the lottery machine in the parking lot, according to Sax. The suspects fled the scene and remain at large. The type of lottery machine targeted by the thieves was not disclosed by police.

This marked the second time in two weeks the Casey's General Store on Mascoutah Avenue was targeted. A male suspect robbed the store at gunpoint Nov. 26.

The suspect got away with an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect in the armed robbery was described as black, approximately 5-foot-10, wearing a hooded sweatshirt, ski mask and dark-colored jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Belleville police at 234-1218.