Clerk Must Stand Trial in Lotto Theft Attempt

A Studio City convenience store clerk has been ordered to stand trial next month on charges of attempting to steal a customer’s winning $6,499 lottery ticket, City Atty. James Hahn said Wednesday.

Paramjeet Sangha, 24, of Pacoima, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a charge of attempted grand theft. Trial is set for April 18.

Sangha, allegedly lied to a customer at a 7-Eleven store who was attempting to claim her $6,499 Lotto ticket. The victim told authorities that the clerk put the ticket in a computer, then told her it had been claimed.

Later, when she challenged him, he told her it was worth only $5, paid her that amount and then placed the ticket under the counter. The customer’s boyfriend obtained a list of winning numbers and confronted the clerk. “At that point, the victim entered the store after being signaled by her boyfriend and Sangha gave her the ticket back,” Hahn said.