Two Lottery Thieves Win Jail Time
LONG BEACH—Like millions of Americans trying to become affluent overnight, two Long Beach men were trying to redeem their lottery scratchers on June 21st at various local businesses. The only problem? According to Long Beach police, those lottery scratchers were stolen in a string of robberies.
The two suspects, whose identities have not been revealed, first caught authorities attention during a May 28th robbery. According to a Long Beach Police Department press release, a 36-year-old man from Signal Hill and 23-year-old man from Long Beach entered a 7-Eleven convenience store and demanded money and lottery scratchers. One of them wore “a large afro-style wig” and carried a handgun. After the robbery, both suspects fled on foot.
The early morning hours of June 21st proved to be de-ja-vu for local investigators as the suspects robbed another 7-Eleven, this time on the 1000 block of Redondo Avenue. Once again, one of the suspects utilized a wig and a handgun while they demanded money and scratchers.
Later that day, authorities learned that the suspects were trying to redeem their scratchers at various local businesses. During a search at one of those locations, police found and arrested the suspects, who were in possession of the stolen scratchers.
The two suspects were booked at the Los Angeles County Jail, where they are being held on $50,000 bail. After Long Beach police presented evidence linking the two men to the crimes, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged both suspects with two counts of robbery.
Long Beach Police believe the suspects may have committed additional unreported robberies, and are asking for the public’s help with incidents where a suspect may have worn an afro-style wig. Anyone with information should contact Long Beach Police Robbery Detective Rudy Romero at (562) 570-7464. Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), texting TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.
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