Suspect Identified in Penny Bar Burglary Investigation

Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputies have identified a suspect and issued an arrest warrant following a burglary reported early Wednesday morning at the Penny Bar in Springfield. Deputies were dispatched to the business in the 2800 block of South Price Street at approximately 4:30 a.m. on December 10, 2025, after an alarm was activated at the location.

Upon arrival, deputies discovered the front door had been forced open. An initial investigation found that two gaming machines inside the establishment had been damaged in what appeared to be an attempt to remove their cash boxes. Although the suspect caused more than $3,000 in damage, no money was taken.

Video footage provided by gaming machine operator J & J Ventures showed a lone white male forcing entry into the business and damaging the machines. A detective reviewing the footage recognized the individual from previous gaming-machine burglary investigations and identified the suspect as 61-year-old Ethan Atwood of Springfield.

An arrest warrant for Atwood was issued on December 11, charging him with burglary, a Class 1 felony, and criminal damage to property, a Class 4 felony. Authorities have not yet located Atwood and are asking anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office at 217-753-6666 or Crime Stoppers of Sangamon and Menard Counties at 217-788-8427. Tips may also be submitted online at www.cashfortips.us.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Atwood has an extensive criminal history, with 27 prior arrests that include offenses related to assault, theft and burglary, drugs, weapons, criminal damage, and traffic violations.