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Pasco Deputies Need Help Finding Lottery Machine Thieves

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By LISA A. DAVIS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 13, 2008

HOLIDAY - Pasco County deputies are asking for the public's help in their investigation of a lottery scratch-off ticket machine theft at a Sweetbay Supermarket.

Between 6 and 6:15 p.m. May 26, someone swiped the machine from the counter of the store at 3406 U.S. 19, according to sheriff's officials.

The booty included rolls of Monopoly, Taxes Paid, Cash Bonanza and Mega Money scratch-off tickets.

Detectives think two individuals were acting together, one as a lookout or decoy and another man who took the machine from the countertop.

Surveillance camera images show at least part of the theft.

The men entered the store and loitered awhile at the Western Union counter at the front of the store, authorities said. At the counter, one of the men pried the clear plastic lottery ticket box off the counter, put it in a shopping bag and left the store.

The store didn't notice the lottery box was missing until a customer asked for a lottery ticket about 9:30 p.m.

The man who took the box is 25 to 30 years old, about 6 feet tall and slender had a ponytail, mustache, goatee and glasses. He weighed about 145 pounds. He was wearing a red ball cap, gray T-shirt, dark sneakers and black shorts.

The second man is 15 to 18 years old, about 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs roughly 145 pounds and of medium build. He had blond hair. He was wearing a brown shirt with white script lettering, jeans and black sneakers.

Anyone with information should call Detective George Rodriguez at 1-800-854-2862, ext.7298.

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