Scratch-off ticket theft suspect caught

News Chief

Published: Friday, March 5, 2010 at 8:27 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, March 5, 2010 at 8:27 a.m.

BARTOW - A Circle K store clerk helped Polk County Sheriff's Office detectives in their investigation of a scratch-off ticket theft suspect, when she told the man she needed his driver's license in order to give him the cash prize he came to claim Monday.

According to an arrest affidavit, Allen Nguyen, 22, of 1859 Emily Drive, Winter Haven, is accused of stealing $70 worth of scratch-off lottery tickets from the store Sunday. When he scratched off one of the tickets, it revealed he had won $50.

According to the affidavit, Nguyen went back to the store the next day to claim his money. The clerk, who was aware of the crime, asked for the man's driver's license and made note of his name and information. She then passed that information on to Sheriff's Office detectives.

Nguyen was placed under arrest and charged with one count of retail theft, the Sheriff's Office reported. He was booked into the Polk County Jail in Bartow.