N.Y. lottery winner and tenant fight thief

Posted: 10/6/2008 11:25:16 AM

Homeowner to invest in security system, cameras after harrowing incident

Police nab pellet-pistol-packing suspect

Just because he won $10 million in the lottery, Gary Owens said, that doesn't mean he's got a house full of cash.

Owens suspects a gun-bearing would-be thief who forced his way into Owens' home at 3:30 a.m. Friday thought he was going to claim a share of the jackpot.

A man came to his door saying his name was Tony and he was there to repay $1,500 Owens had allowed him to borrow. A man with that first name did owe Owens' money, but he said he knew the hooded man at his door was not his acquaintance.

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"I said no, you're not coming in here," he told the suspect.

"He broke down the door, put a gun to my head and told me "Give me all your money,'" Owens said. The victim was told to lie down on the floor, which he did, and the suspect used a long boot lace to hog-tie him.

Owens' downstairs tenant, Pat Dunn, heard the commotion and ran up to help.

While Dunn tussled with the suspect, Owens managed to get himself free. He ran into the kitchen, grabbed a solid wood chair and struck the suspect twice. The man fled.

Owens said he is uninjured, but he now plans to invest in a security system complete with cameras.

"I'm just a shook up a little bit," he said.

Dunn suffered cuts to his head and body and was treated at Albany Medical Center Hospital.

Coeymans police developed leads and sent a teletype out on the suspect. State Police on the state Thruway took Michael A. McGorman, 22, of Brooklyn into custody.

McGorman was charged with first-degree burglary, first-degree assault, second-degree attempted robbery, unlawful imprisonment and criminal possession of a weapon. The gun, police said, turned out to be a pellet pistol.

Owens, a retired engineer with General Electric, won with a scratch-off ticket in April.

"Sometimes I wonder if it's even worth it," he said. "People think I have all this money in my house. I don't.".

Thanks to JackpotWanna for the tip.

Source: Times Union, Lottery Post Staff

BabyJC

United States
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January 7, 2004
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Posted: October 6, 2008, 11:43 am - IP Logged

This crime would support recent discussion about allowing lottery winners to remain anonymous! Lottery officials should feel really bad when they hear about this stuff happening.

ΩΩΩ Smiley

ICNUMBERS

Messy Michigan
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August 28, 2008
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Posted: October 6, 2008, 12:40 pm - IP Logged

It was said by 1 of my college professors'. "A 4 sure way to become a welfare reciepient is 2 have a child b4 U get out of high school." Well I say "A 4 sure way to get yourself robbed, hit the lottery." Heck in the world 2day U might get hit over the head 4 a $10 scratch off. LOL

Remember we are the decisions that we make, please take the time to educate. Stooges

MaddMike51

S.E.Iowa
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February 18, 2008
313 Posts
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Posted: October 6, 2008, 12:48 pm - IP Logged

Quote: Originally posted by BabyJC on October 6, 2008

This crime would support recent discussion about allowing lottery winners to remain anonymous! Lottery officials should feel really bad when they hear about this stuff happening.

I Agree! There are way to many people out there that think just because you won some money in a lottery that they are entitled to some or all of your money.

ThatScaryChick

Idaho
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November 21, 2007
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Posted: October 6, 2008, 1:09 pm - IP Logged

The guy was very lucky that his neighbor heard the commotion coming from his place and that he came to help so he was able to get loose. It must have been a very scary situation.

ThatScaryChick and WLB

duckman

Florida
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October 6, 2005
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Posted: October 6, 2008, 1:11 pm - IP Logged

Anonymous claiming would minimize this from happening, but word gets around, even if it's anonymous. If you win and tell just one friend, word will get out. If you win, have no family, and tell no one, friends may notice if you change lifestyle, buy new things, and so on.

If every winner was kept anonymous, then there would be some people who would complain that the lottery was fixed, because all the winners were anonymous and they would think it should be public record to prove the lottery was not rigged.

The best is a middle ground. Smart winners will set up trusts, corporations, charities, and other organizations to insulate themselves and channel their winnings correctly.

MaddMike51

S.E.Iowa
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February 18, 2008
313 Posts
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Posted: October 6, 2008, 1:50 pm - IP Logged

Quote: Originally posted by duckman on October 6, 2008

People do NOT need to know that you are wealthy...it is NONE of anyones business,especially the press, how much someone is worth.I like to read about winners as much as the next guy,but some things are flat nobodys business.If a person wants to share their personal business with the entire world,fine,thats their choice.However,if person prefers to remain anonymous,that should also be their choice.When I win the lottery I'll be forced to go through the media B.S.However,as soon as I get my hands on the money I will be moving to another area of the country where I can be anonymous.The state of Iowa will collect their share of taxes on my winnings but in the years to follow they won't get one penny from the taxes on the interest that my money will generate.Their loss could be avoided by allowing me to remain anonymous.

BobP