News writer
It wasn't a winning ticket that got one Pennsylvania man noticed — it was the way he allegedly tried to get it. In the early morning hours, a trip to a Turkey Hill convenience store turned into a lottery heist involving threats, a fake gun, and more than $600 worth of stolen scratch-offs. But as one man gambled with the law, another was cashing in on a jackpot the legal way and being celebrated for it.
Threats with a fake gun
Around 3:30 a.m. EST on June 11, 2025, a Hanover Township man allegedly threatened a Turkey Hill clerk in Exeter while he stole over $600 worth of Pennsylvania Lottery tickets. Officers with the Wyoming Valley Regional Police said the suspect, later identified as 31-year-old James Robinson, pretended to have a gun and warned the clerk not to interfere.
Around 1:00 p.m. EST on June 11, 2025, authorities said they identified Robinson on the corner of a street in Exeter.
Robinson was taken into custody and charged with robbery, theft, and other associated offenses. He remains in jail on a $50,000 bond.
Lottery officials celebrating
While Robinson was put behind bars for his alleged attempt to win a big jackpot, another Pennsylvania man was being celebrated by lottery officials after his big online win. Officials held a check presentation ceremony at the Lottery Area Office in Pittsburgh recently to give the winner his $1.35 million prize.
Christopher Lehman of Beaver County, an active-duty member of the Army for 25 years, was the lucky winner. He won $1.35 million playing the Jackpot Spectacular online game on May 30.
Lehman told lottery officials:
My wife always says I have good luck. I looked at the progressive prize amount for Jackpot Spectacular and thought, 'That one's about to pop soon.' I budgeted $100 to play that day. I figured if I lose, I lose.
He did not lose, and his intuition that the progressive jackpot was about to pop came true. Lehman recalled:
The bonus popped up, and I couldn't believe it. I just stared at it for a second. My wife didn't believe it either. We called the lottery together, and I put the phone on speaker so we could both hear it was real.
Lehman actually won on the same day he signed up for an online Pennsylvania Lottery account. He just moved to the state from New Hampshire, so he was trying his luck in his new state. Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne said:
Congratulations to Christopher and his family on winning this life-changing prize. We're also reminding everyone that every lottery purchase, whether online or in-store at a retailer, helps the Pennsylvania Lottery fulfill its mission of supporting programs and services that benefit older Pennsylvanians. We're proud that this win not only changes one life, but also contributes to making a positive difference for seniors in communities across the Commonwealth.
Now that he has his winnings in hand, Lehman said he and his plan on paying off their mortgage and his wife's car loan and then investing the rest. His youngest daughter is also graduating from Army basic training on June 12, so they're excited to travel there to celebrate her accomplishment.
Enjoy playing the Pennsylvania Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
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