Includes video report
Throughout the Baltimore region police are looking for a man and a woman who have teamed up to steal hundreds if not thousands of dollars worth in Maryland Lottery tickets from area convenience stores.
It happened again recently at a 7-Eleven on Ritchie Highway in Brooklyn. The male theft suspect opens the door for his female accomplice and a customer before going into action — action captured by the store's multiple security cameras.
"Our own system has 16 cameras inside," said Assistant Manager Kaleem Raza.
The thieves wander through the store, ordering up a Slurpee one moment, four pricey $20 stratch-offs the next.
After spending a good five minutes inside, they're ready to check out, but instead the thieves snatch the lottery tickets at the last second and take off.
Corporal Jacklyn Davis of the Anne Arundel County Police Department says the thieves then race against the clock to cash in on their prize.
"Very quickly, they're scratching those off and cashing them in at another location before they're able to report those as stolen lottery tickets," said Davis, "There are two other jurisdictions involved and we're looking into double digits as far as cases that these two have committed."
The duo has struck almost daily over the last week, and they're leaving plenty of pictures, and in this case, the suspect's hat in their wake, not to mention pictures of their getaway car, and they've also left many victims shaken over the bold nature of their crimes.
"We don't know if they have any weapon or something," said Rameen Fatima, a cashier, "They could do anything. If they can do that, they can do anything. You can expect anything. Anything could happen so it was really scary for us."
Police say the crime only works if the couple cashes in smaller prizes at other businesses, because striking a big jackpot would surely get them arrested at Lottery Commission headquarters.
You know the suspects or have any information that could help police, you can call metro crime stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.
VIDEO: Watch the report
Bonnie & Clyde will be caught.
I guess they had visions of easy money.
It's not easy money when you pay for them.
It's called poverty...
It's called stealing. They know it's just a matter of time before they get caught. Their pictures are all over the place.
I like your avatar. Reminded me of an uncle who (when he was drinking) used to say he had enough money to burn up a wet mule--
I thought it was interesting that the criminals have evolved to this method of beating the ticket cancellation after theft. I can picture them madly scratching the tickets off in the car to find the winners before the tickets get canceled, lol.
Then again, they apparently only steal four tickets at a time. Any time I play four tickets, I feel lucky if I get more than one winner among them. And it's usually just enough to cover the purchase price -- hardly worth getting thrown in jail for.
My favorite part is mentioned in the video: If they actually stole a million-dollar winner, they couldn't redeem it anyway (even though they'd probably try anyway).
I'd say overall this couple lands themselves pretty high on the Darwinism award list.
If they win a million dollar worth winner I think they might fraud some one and sell it for few thousand
These thugs are Idiots.
time shall spin a most curious yarn soon enough .....
One of the suspects left a hat behind. There is a possibility that DNA is on it. Forensic Files is a tv show I enjoy.
When these two are caught they will have a felony on their record. Their DNA and prints will always be on file.
I feel sorry for what they have done with their futures.
No way they'd have a felony. They'll plea bargain to get a misdemeanor charge in exchange for a guilty plea. Time served plus community service and probation. They had no weapons, no assault, etc.
They stole a SLURPEE too!!!???. Thats the last STRAW!!!
They don't look too old but maybe one or both have been in trouble before.
One or both might get more than probation.
The guy hightailed it out of there and nearly fell. A real professional....punk.
I can imagine them laughing afterwards. Pretty soon one or both will be crying.
I didn't think of that.
Bet they could find some gullible old person to buy it for 100K or more.
That scratch-off would have been reported by then. Not going to work.
The vic wouldn't know that till they had already paid and then tried to cash it in. The perps would be long gone.
I'll give them credit.Their smarter then this moron.
Definitely possible though that's what good defense attorney's are for. Crime is crime but punishments fall in ranges and this is a case that will fall on the lenient side of it.
Hare core gambler or common criminal?
Either way, they will be caught.
It's clear they had this planned.
Lazy bums, get a job and stop stealing.
And very soon, they will stand before a judge, and he will be opening the door for them to the "Big House", right where they belong!
Now how stupid with the high quality cameras are these two. They are also stealing potential losing tickets. I am sure someone can recognize these two from the photos and hopefully will turn them in.
As a totally RANDOM aside, if you watched the video the new reporter Jeff Hagar bears an uncanny resemblance to Jodie of the old show "Family Affair". Seriously if you are old enough to remember the two little kids, Buffy and her brother Jody who lived with Uncle Bill and his "gentleman's gentleman" Mr. French, imagine Jodie all grown up.
Tell me if I am seeing things or not.