News writer
Someone in Rome couldn't wait for a lucky draw, so they smashed their way in. In the early hours of June 26, a would-be jackpot hunter broke into a local market and made off with an armful of New York Lottery tickets. Now, police are trying to figure out who's behind this glass-shattering grab-and-go.
Break-in at the market
Around 3:45 a.m. on Thursday, June 26, officers were called to respond to a burglary alarm at Rizzo's Market, located at 401 S. James Street in Rome, according to a press release from the Rome Police Department.
Once at the scene, officers determined the front door window of the market had been shattered. After a preliminary investigation, authorities determined that an unidentified individual gained entry to the business and walked out with an undetermined amount of New York Lottery tickets.
Investigation is ongoing
Police are still trying to determine the identity of the suspect and the amount of lottery tickets that were stolen. The investigation is still ongoing.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Rome Police Department's TIP Line at (315) 339-7744, or they can contact Mohawk Valley Crime Stoppers at 1-866-730-8477. Any tips that do come in will remain anonymous.
Powerball proves to be powerful
No need to break down doors for this New Yorker, as Maria Messina of Aquebogue recently won $1 million playing Powerball.
Messina recently made her way to lottery headquarters to claim her second-tier prize after matching all of the white ball numbers during the March 26 drawing. The winning white ball numbers from that drawing were 5, 20, 29, 39, and 53, and the Powerball number was 6.
She bought the winning ticket at Kings Hampton Bays C-Store, located at 239 West Montauk Hwy. in Hampton Bay. The lucky New Yorker received a one-time lump sum payment, which worked out to be $651,000 after the required tax withholdings.
Powerball is a popular game for New Yorkers, as it generated $576.68 million in total sales during the fiscal year 2023-2024. During that same period, school districts in Suffolk County, where the ticket was purchased, received $273.4 million in Lottery Aid to Education funds.
The top prize-winning scratcher claimed
Another New Yorker cashed in recently on one of the New York Lottery's scratch-off games. Teresa Brzozowa of Ridgewood won the top prize of $5 million on the Bonus 100X instant ticket. She recently made her way to lottery headquarters, where she opted to receive a one-time lump sum payment totaling $2.05 million after the required withholdings.
Brzozowa purchased the winning ticket from 7 Days Wine & Spirits, located at 143 Driggs Ave. in Brooklyn. After making her claim, lottery officials said there were still three $5 million top prizes remaining in the Bonus 100X ticket.
Scratch-off tickets happen to be even more popular than Powerball in New York, having generated $4.37 billion in total sales during fiscal year 2023-2024. During that same period, school districts across all five boroughs received $1.19 billion in Lottery Aid to Education funds.
Enjoy playing the New York Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
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