A STORE clerk has aided a lottery ticket heist that could have left a convenience store down thousands of dollars.
The customer was caught on camera trying to steal thousands of lottery tickets with the clerk’s help.
Authorities discovered through security footage that the former Circle K clerk was observed multiple times giving a customer several lottery tickets without processing payment.
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office revealed that Jorge Acevedo Perez, aged 47, collaborated with Dave Dackens Pluviose, aged 20, to abscond with lottery tickets valued at $15,000, according to details shared by NBC affiliate WFLA.
The Circle K convenience store is located alongside the Overseas Highway in the Lower Keys in Florida.
There are multiple security camera videos of the clerk suspiciously handing over large amounts of lottery tickets to the 20-year-old.
Last month, the 47-year-old was charged with grand theft and conspiracy.
However, authorities are still looking for his companion who was seen cashing in the lottery tickets on security footage.
Detectives on the case have footage of Pluviose cashing in the lottery tickets with Perez at a supermarket.
The duo got stole a whopping $8,000 in prize money before they were caught.
Detectives are asking the public with any information on Pluviose to contact them at 305-292-7060.
LOTTO TROUBLES
One lottery player was eagerly looking forward to a $83 million jackpot, but officials are not debating whether she won the money fairly.
The Texas player bought $20 worth of lottery tickets over the phone using a courier service called Jackpocket.
The winning ticket was sold by a Winners Corner location in Austin.
However, it was later revealed that the providers were banned under Texas state law.
Although the player tried to claim the jackpot, officials haven’t handed over any of the prize money, as reported by The Austin–American Statesman.
Walmart shoplifting arrests
- Ashley Cross was caught on security cameras using an old watch battery barcode to scan expensive products for just $1, cops say
- Ex-officer Mark Leenerts stole $317.88 worth of merchandise from Walmart stores in Topeka, Kansas
- Jeremiah Boyer allegedly pocketed $52,800 in fees on 874 orders while working for Walmart’s online delivery service Spark
- Brent Adam Brooks, of Sylva, North Carolina, was arrested after allegedly trying to steal a $198 Frigidaire ice maker
- Kabreshia Caldwell is accused of targeting senior customers at Walmarts across Northeast Florida, stealing a total of $10,000
- Katherine Gordon allegedly stole $80 worth of groceries using the ‘banana trick’ at self-checkout
“I’ve gone through frustration and being sad and stressed,” she told the outlet.
“I’m disappointed. I’m very disappointed.”
This isn’t an isolated case — Texas lottery officials are looking into several instances regarding illegitimate tickets.
In February, Governor Greg Abbott had Texas Rangers investigate some of these cases.
“Texans must be able to trust in our state’s lottery system and know that the lottery is conducted with integrity and lawfully,” he said.
Lottery players have been warned against cheating the system or using third-party apps that haven’t been approved by the state to cash out.
