News writer
A former gas station clerk in Indiana allegedly returned to her old workplace with a gun and a plan. While she thought she covered her tracks, it turns out her getaway plan didn’t work. Modern lottery systems track every ticket scanned, claimed, and redeemed. Because of this, what thieves believe is an easy score turns into a digital breadcrumb trail straight back to them.
A previous theft investigation
According to authorities, 40-year-old Shalina Hill had been under investigation for stealing over $2,000 worth of scratch-off tickets while she worked at Village Pantry, located on W. 86th Street in Indianapolis.
The incident took place in July 2025. A police report was filed, Hill was fired, and the case was handed over to detectives, according to court documents obtained by FOX 59.
Cops called for theft at the same location
However, those same cops were called to the same Village Pantry for another alleged theft in August 2025.
On August 26, officers from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department responded to a call of an armed robbery at the Village Pantry. Store employees told police that a woman dressed head-to-toe in black came through the broken back door. However, only employees of the store knew the back door was broken.
Once inside the store, the suspect allegedly brandished a “shiny black handgun. She told the employee, “Don’t look at my face. Go in the bathroom and count to 1,000.” The employee followed her orders, then heard the suspect rummaging and knocking items over for nearly ten minutes.
Thousands in lottery tickets missing
Once the employee came out of the bathroom, they called 911. The store was in disarray. There were cigarette cartons all over the floor. Merchandise had been pulled apart, and the cash drawer was emptied.
In total, the store told police they were missing:
- $600 in cash
- $3,150 in lottery tickets
- $1,327 in cigarettes
- $889 in cigarillos
When talking with police, a manager said they were “certain” the suspect was Hill, noting that only current and former staff know that the back door didn’t latch. Security footage was obtained, which confirmed this suspicion.
The video showed the suspect entering through the faulty door, pointing a gun at staff, and then digging through the counter area before fleeing the building. Police also obtained surveillance footage from the area, which showed a Toyota RAV4 believed to be Hill’s leaving the scene.
Lottery technology closed the case
Even with all that video footage, the real break in the case came days later. That is when Hoosier Lottery officials notified police that someone tried to redeem the stolen scratch-off tickets.
For each state lottery, they have a system that logs when and where every ticket is scanned. This means that these thieves are leaving a timestamped trail with every attempt.
Investigators were able to determine Hill’s RAV4 had been driven to the gas station where the stolen tickets were claimed. Hill also lives less than a mile from the store, so the evidence was stacking up quickly.
Hill has been charged in Marion Superior Court with armed robbery, kidnapping with a deadly weapon, and felony theft, officials said. Police have issued a warrant and a no-contact order for Hill.
This underscores a growing reality: stolen lottery tickets may seem like quick cash, but lottery technology is built to catch these thieves. That means, the moment they try to cash in is often the moment the case closes.
Enjoy playing the Indiana Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
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