News writer
A man accused of impersonating a Virginia Lottery official and stealing tickets across multiple jurisdictions is now on the run, authorities say. The suspect allegedly accessed gaming machines, cashed in stolen winning tickets, and left a trail of losses from Campbell County to Lynchburg before vanishing in a Tennessee Titans jersey.
Multiple lottery ticket thefts
A series of thefts recently took place involving Virginia Lottery tickets, according to the Campbell County Sheriff's Office.
Officials said a white male was posing as a Virginia Lottery agent. The suspect gained access to multiple gaming machines, which resulted in significant losses.
Police said the man also stole lottery tickets from other areas in Virginia. He then illegally cashed in winning tickets in Lynchburg.
Suspect identified
Officials with the CCSO said they worked with multiple other law enforcement agencies to identify the suspect as Gino Anthony Ortiz. He was last seen wearing a Tennessee Titans jersey and donning a military-style haircut.
According to authorities, Ortiz is wanted on two counts of felony Grand Larceny. In addition, he is facing charges of felony Obtaining Money by False Pretense and misdemeanor Obtaining Money by False Pretense in Lynchburg.
Ortiz allegedly has ties to Danville and the New Jersey area, according to authorities.
If anyone knows where Ortiz is, they are urged to call the Campbell County Sheriff's Office at 434-332-9574 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-798-5900.
No charges for this winner
While Ortiz is facing multiple charges in Lynchburg, another Virginia man is enjoying his big lottery win, which he got from legally buying the ticket — a ticket he changed his mind about right before buying it.
Ervin Antonio Torres told lottery officials:
I was about to pick a different ticket, but something told me to pick this one. I don't know why.
That different ticket paid off big time, as the Stafford man bought a 50X the Money ticket and ended up winning $3 million, the game's top prize. He said, “It feels unreal!”
The odds of winning the $3 million top prize are 1 in 1.84 million. The odds of winning any prize in this game are 1 in 3.03.
Torres bought the winning ticket at Wawa, located at 1172 Garrisonville Road in Stafford. For selling the winning ticket, the lucky lottery retailer will receive a $10,000 bonus from the Virginia Lottery.
The big winner recently made their way to lottery headquarters to claim their prize and had a big decision to make. Torres had the choice of taking the full $3 million prize in annual payments over 30 years, before taxes, or as a one-time lump sum payment of $1.88 million before taxes. He chose the lump sum payment option.
As far as 50X the Money goes, this was the fourth and final $3 million top prize claimed in the game, which means it is now closed. The Virginia Lottery ends games once the last remaining top prize is claimed.
Enjoy playing the Virginia Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
Comments