Burglar steals Lotto scratch-off tickets from Burbank gas station
A burglar made away with an unknown amount of Lotto scratchers after breaking into an Arco gas station early Friday, according to the Burbank Police Department.
Around 3:10 a.m., a person broke into the Arco at 3701 W. Magnolia Blvd. by smashing through its front window. Burbank Police Sgt. Derek Green said the gas station was closed for business at the time of the burglary.
Russ Lopez, deputy director of corporate communications for California Lottery, said every scratch-off ticket sold is numbered and tracked.
“Once we’re alerted by the retailer or police that a theft involving Lottery merchandise occurred, we immediately get involved,” he said. “We visit the retailer and determine what tickets were stolen.”
Because tickets are tracked and due to the prevalence of security cameras in stores, Lopez said it’s difficult for thieves to profit off stolen Lotto tickets.
Stolen tickets are rendered ineligible, Lopez said, meaning a thief would be unable to cash out a winning ticket.
The burglary remains under investigation.
Twitter: @Andy_Truc
