Four individuals accused of stealing lottery scratch tickets worth more than $150,000 from retailers in the Front Range area.

In Denver, it has been reported that four individuals are facing charges for allegedly stealing more than $150,000 worth of lottery scratch tickets from various retailers in the Front Range area over a period of 15 months. The Colorado attorney general’s office disclosed this information.

The accused, namely Richard McBee, Adam Pacheco, Tawny McCurry, and David Goetken, were indicted by a statewide grand jury recently for their involvement in the illegal activity. The prosecutors revealed that the thefts took place at around 45 gas station locations across the Front Range.

According to the prosecutors, McBee and his accomplices would strategically target gas stations and convenience stores where only one store clerk was present. The modus operandi involved distracting the clerk with specific scenarios like purchasing propane tanks, reporting a stuck credit card in a gas pump, or causing a gasoline spill to divert the clerk’s attention away from the counter. During this distraction, McBee would take the opportunity to pilfer high-value lottery scratch tickets from the dispenser behind the counter.

The indictment showed that within hours of the theft, and before the theft was discovered, McBee would enter a different gas station or store to redeem prizes from the stolen lottery tickets.

“The individuals accused of these lottery ticket retail thefts harmed businesses along the Front Range. Colorado Lottery sales proceeds go toward preserving and protecting state parks, trails, and open spaces, so Coloradans who enjoy the great outdoors are also victims of Lottery theft. I am grateful for the team effort with local law enforcement and Lottery investigators. We’ll hold these individuals to account for their actions and the harm they caused to the victims and our state,” said Attorney General Weiser in a statement.

McBee was charged with four counts of class 4 felony theft; Pacheco with one count of class four felony theft; McCurry with one count of class five felony theft; and Goetken with one count of class five felony theft.

The investigation was conducted by various local law enforcement agencies, the Colorado Lottery Investigation Unit, and the Special Prosecutions Unit of the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, according to a news release.