NJ lottery winner is loser after prize seized

Jun 13, 2015, 6:31 am (17 comments)

New Jersey Lottery

MIDDLESEX, N.J. — When is a $10,000 lottery winner a loser? When the funds used to purchase the $10,000 winning ticket are from a ticket the winner allegedly stole.

That’s what David G. Rukhadze, 23, a borough resident, learned after he tried to collect a $10,000 prize on an instant lottery ticket after he allegedly used the $20 winnings from a stolen ticket to buy the winning one.

Around 1 p.m. June 5, Officer Sean Flanagan responded to the Acme Market, 125 Bound Brook Road, for a report of a theft of New Jersey Lottery tickets.

A loss-prevention specialist told police that a store employee suspected a customer had removed instant lottery tickets from the store customer service counter.

While reviewing the store surveillance video, the loss-prevention specialist noticed a customer steal five instant lottery tickets on two separate occasions on May 30.

Middlesex Borough police were contacted when Rukhadze attempted to redeem an instant ticket and collect a $10,000 prize.

An investigation by Flanagan revealed that Rukhadze apparently redeemed one of the stolen instant lottery tickets and claimed a $20 prize but then allegedly used the funds from the stolen ticket to purchase additional lottery tickets, including one with a $10,000 prize.

Police said Rukhadze was arrested and charged with shoplifting. And his luck got worse: The $10,000 Pay Day instant lottery ticket was seized and returned to the state’s Division of Lottery.

MCJ

Comments

RedStang's avatarRedStang

Disapprove What the story doesn't tell you is stupid was able to post a $1500 cash bail. https://local.nixle.com/alert/5429616/

music*'s avatarmusic*

 Crime does not pay !  Great story, thanksShocked    What a tangled web one weaves when trying to deceive.

cbr$'s avatarcbr$

WOW! He believe he could getting a way with this. This is just to bold. Good for the lottery, taking it back.

BellasBMWLucki

i see it. and yes Red Stang, this is the issue, for some at hand... HOWEVER, he is entitle to a fair trial,encompassing the legal right to post his bail et.al,

 

either way,is not worth it,and those who do this "allegedly what has done shall not be blessed in life." (again IF he really did it.) Just buy the tickets and try your luck it is much easier that way,be honest when playing,try your luck,Geez. 

 

I know that area, i think in Middlesex County. Great people out there toward Dunellen i think... SMH

 

adios

noise-gate

No wonder NJ always wins. The Truth is Finally revealed.

Image result for behind bars

Raven62's avatarRaven62

Quote: Originally posted by noise-gate on Jun 13, 2015

No wonder NJ always wins. The Truth is Finally revealed.

Image result for behind bars

The truth is: You're Guilty until proved Innocent!

BellasBMWLucki

I hear ya RAVEN! lol

 

adios...

 

and GOOD LUCK NEW JERSEYANS with your #s tonight.Cheers

Off to my workout.

loonasee2's avatarloonasee2

Money can't bring you happiness , even stolen money......................lol

TheGameGrl's avatarTheGameGrl

so the ticket is void and the allocated winnings stay with the lottery. Sounds like the lottery made a bonus pocket money to retain. Interesting.

mypiemaster's avatarmypiemaster

It is a great thing that these crooks get busted. If the lottery gods do not put that recovered money back into the pot, it stands to reason that they are just as crooked as the crook who ripped us the players off in the first place. The players lose either way. Disapprove

pickone4me's avatarpickone4me

Quote: Originally posted by mypiemaster on Jun 13, 2015

It is a great thing that these crooks get busted. If the lottery gods do not put that recovered money back into the pot, it stands to reason that they are just as crooked as the crook who ripped us the players off in the first place. The players lose either way. Disapprove

I Agree!

SilverLion's avatarSilverLion

Its a good thing that this fraudster name is not Chris Christie.

Otherwise he would have gotten away with it for good.

P.S.

What are scratchers doing on the counter anyway?

 

As SilverWolf would say.

"Lets go to the Video Tape!!'

maringoman's avatarmaringoman

This was actually a lucky thief. Most of the times when thieves steal lottery tickets, they usually steal losers.

Raven62's avatarRaven62

Quote: Originally posted by maringoman on Jun 13, 2015

This was actually a lucky thief. Most of the times when thieves steal lottery tickets, they usually steal losers.

ROFL

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