News writer
What do lottery tickets, YouTube gift cards, and a white Volkswagen SUV have in common? In Eastern North Carolina, police say they're all part of a bold, fast-moving scheme pulled off by a trio of suspects who seem to vanish just as quickly as they strike. Now, with several towns hit and a multi-agency manhunt underway, authorities are asking for your help before the scammers cash in again.
Trio linked to more thefts
Three suspects have been linked to a series of coordinated thefts of lottery tickets and prepaid Visa gift cards across Eastern North Carolina, and the Warsaw Police Department is asking for the public's help in finding them.
The first incident took place on June 20, 2025, when the suspects made their way to numerous businesses in Onslow and Duplin Counties. At these businesses, the three suspects fraudulently acquired North Carolina Lottery tickets and Visa gift cards.
They did this by presenting the store clerk with Cash App or YouTube cards, which didn't go through for payment. However, the gift cards were already activated before the clerks realized the deception. The suspects then grabbed the activated cards and lottery tickets from the counter and fled the store.
A fast getaway
After fleeing the store, the suspects were seen getting in a white Volkswagen SUV with Florida license plates.
The method for these individuals consisted of two of them entering the business while the third waited in the vehicle to help with a quick getaway. After each alleged theft, the trio would proceed to another location and redeem the stolen lottery tickets.
The trio struck again
The suspects were back at it again on June 21, 2025, police said. This incident took place at the Best Mart convenience store off I-40 in Warsaw.
The suspects tried to use a YouTube card to purchase lottery tickets. However, the cashier noticed the card was not being processed, so one of the suspects grabbed the lottery tickets from the counter, fled the store, and jumped into the back seat of the same white Volkswagen SUV.
A clearer picture is forming
Authorities say the suspects have been very good at avoiding surveillance cameras, specifically positioning the vehicle to conceal the license plate. However, video footage from multiple locations has been used to capture clear images of all three individuals.
Police said the suspects are described as:
- Two Black males, possibly in their twenties, both with braided or dreadlocked hair.
- One Black female also appeared to be in her twenties.
Since these thefts have taken place in multiple counties, the investigation is being conducted by multiple jurisdictions, including the Warsaw Police Department, Beulaville Police Department, and Jacksonville Police Department.
Officials said the last known incident took place at Walmart in Clinton. At that time, the suspects cashed out a significant amount of lottery tickets shortly after the Warsaw incident.
Anyone with information about the individuals or the vehicle involved is encouraged to contact the Warsaw Police Department at (910) 293-7816 or submit a tip anonymously through the Jacksonville Police Department Crime Stoppers Line at 910-938-3273 (24-hour hotline) or text your tip, TIP4CSJAX + your tip to 274637.
Enjoy playing the North Carolina Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
Comments