Thieves make off with over $27,000 worth of lottery tickets in Pennsylvania, according to local police.
The Pennsylvania State Police has launched an investigation into the theft of approximately $27,000 worth of Pennsylvania Lottery scratch-off tickets, which occurred around 6 am on June 1, 2025, at the Martin Pit Stop gas station located at 29459 Great Cove Road, Fort Littleton, Pennsylvania.
According to the Pennsylvania Lottery, the stolen tickets have been flagged or deactivated in their system to prevent fraudulent claims. This measure ensures that if the stolen tickets are presented for a prize, the lottery retailer redeeming the play will be notified that the game has been deactivated, and the prize is invalid.
The Pennsylvania Lottery, one of the richest lotteries in the United States with sales last year totaling almost $5 billion, maintains records of ticket serial numbers, distribution, and sales location. If a ticket is reported stolen, they can verify if a claimed ticket matches a reported stolen ticket.
In addition, the Lottery usually provides ticket details, serial numbers, retailer and sales information, time frames, and any relevant video surveillance at the point of sale to assist in investigations. Winners usually must submit personal information during prize claims, which may help trace the legitimacy of claims and identify stolen ticket usage.
However, specific details about how the Pennsylvania Lottery deactivates stolen scratch-off tickets or what information they provide to law enforcement for investigation purposes are not publicly detailed to prevent fraud exploitation. For precise procedures, direct inquiry to the Pennsylvania Lottery or official documentation would be necessary.
The public was informed about the investigation on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. At the time of writing, the release did not indicate if there is a suspect(s) in the case. Anyone with information about the matter is asked to call Trooper Hibner at the McConnellsburg Troop G barracks.
Stealing lottery tickets is a criminal offense, and in Pennsylvania, stealing property valued at between $2,000 and $100,000 is graded a third-degree felony, with potential penalties of up to seven years in prison and fines of up to $15,000. Pennsylvania law also prohibits an individual from selling scratch-offs at a price greater than the fixed amount set by the Pennsylvania Lottery.
For more information about the Pennsylvania Lottery, visit their official site or contact their customer service lines. The Pennsylvania State Police can be reached at the McConnellsburg Troop G barracks for any information regarding the ongoing investigation.
- The Pennsylvania State Police is investigating the theft of over $27,000 worth of Pennsylvania Lottery scratch-off tickets, which were stolen from the Martin Pit Stop gas station.
- The Pennsylvania Lottery has flagged or deactivated the stolen scratch-off tickets in their system to prevent fraudulent claims.
- If the stolen tickets are presented for a prize, the lottery retailer redeeming the play will be notified that the game has been deactivated, and the prize is invalid.
- The Pennsylvania Lottery, a known rich lottery in the United States, maintains records of ticket serial numbers, distribution, and sales location, which helps in verifying stolen tickets.
- Stealing lottery tickets is a criminal offense in Pennsylvania, and theft of property valued between $2,000 and $100,000 is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to seven years in prison and fines of up to $15,000.
- Anyone with information about the theft of Pennsylvania Lottery scratch-off tickets should call Trooper Hibner at the McConnellsburg Troop G barracks.
