Block or charge? Man fumbles stolen lottery tickets; police look for an assist

The Citrus Heights Police Department is asking for the public’s help in finding a man who stole a case of lottery tickets from a convenience store and may be connected to several similar incidents in the city.

In a video posted to the department’s Facebook page, a white man wearing a black baseball cap and Robert Griffin III Washington Redskins jersey can be seen milling inside a convenience store before grabbing a plastic case of lottery tickets. The man drops the case on the floor and drags it out the door.

“CHPD Detectives need your help in identifying this lottery ticket thief. Know who he is?” the police department said on Facebook.

Officials with the department said between July 31 and August 14, three stores have been hit by the person targeting lottery tickets. Each time, the suspect “waits until the store employee is distracted and then will grab lottery ticket (scratchers),” said police spokesman Lt. David Gutierrez. Police said the man appears to work alone and has not carried or brandished a weapon.

Police also said that the thief may be driving a blue vehicle.

Anyone with information about this theft can call 916-727-5524. The reference case number is CH19-6457, police said.

This story was originally published August 21, 2019 at 2:12 PM with the headline "Block or charge? Man fumbles stolen lottery tickets; police look for an assist."