Photo: Raymond Loftin (Facebook)
HIGHLAND – The urge to gamble can be overwhelming for some. Such was the case when Raymond Loftin was caught during an attempt to cash stolen lottery tickets at a gas station.
Highland PD Deputies arrived on-scene to the call of a suspicious male who had cashed over $1,000 in winning tickets. The suspect had parked a black GMC Envoy at the pumps on the 7900 block of Webster Street.
The questionable winner covered up the car’s vehicle ID# located on the dash. He then headed across the parking lot to a nearby business.
This is where Loftin’s luck ran out. Deputies located Loftin in the bathroom.
The crafty suspect had discarded lottery tickets in the trash, after cashing in more tickets at this business. Deputies detained the dubious gambler, and commenced further discovery.
“Gloves, a sledgehammer, a surgical mask, and a large number of lottery tickets/cigarettes were found inside the vehicle,” said Deputy L. Bertetto and Detective T. Malensek. “Loftin was in possession of a large amount of cash.”
In addition, all of the cashed-in tickets were the determined to be the booty of another commercial burglary. Earlier that morning, Loftin had stolen lottery tickets at a Moreno Valley gas station on the 25000 block of Alessandro Blvd.
Moreno Valley is located in Riverside County. The SBSD – Highland PD said, “Investigators from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department responded to the Highland Police Station and assumed the investigation.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Highland Police Station Detectives at (909) 425-9793. To remain anonymous, call the We-tip Hotline 1-800-78-CRIME (27463), or leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.
