This Illinois criminal had a particular focus when it came to theft – stealing lottery tickets was their specialty.
Illinois Police apprehend thief for stealing lottery tickets
I guess I don’t have what it takes to steal. I’d feel horrible stealing valuables from others. Furthermore, I want to avoid arrest and jail time. If I ever decide to breach the law, it must be worth the danger. Personally, I don’t believe it is.
Many thieves have a specialty. Perhaps they steal cars or swindle people out of money. Illinois police have finally apprehended a suspect in Wheaton and arrested him. He collects lottery tickets from convenience stores.
In stores, he tried to befriend retail clerks. When the employee is comfortable with the suspect, they leave him alone in front of the cash register. At that point, the robber would grab several lottery tickets from the display and flee.
The guy carried out this scam several times, including at convenience stores in Elmhurst, Addison, Winfield, Carol Stream, Hanover Park, Oakbrook Terrace, and Lombard. At a motel in Villa Park, authorities arrested him.
Here’s my question: How can the cops determine what to charge him with when the lottery tickets could be either nothing or a large jackpot? Do the detectives have to scratch off the tickets to determine how much he would have won?
I suppose this type of crime falls into a specific category. The local police charged him with offenses including an ongoing financial crimes enterprise, burglary, and retail theft. Definitely not worth the risk. Each time, there is a significant likelihood that he will come up empty-handed.