News writer
For most players, scratching a ticket is all about the thrill of chance and the rush of possibility that comes with every number revealed. But in South Carolina, one man allegedly took that thrill a little too far, turning multiple stores into the backdrop of his so-called “lucky streak.” Instead of relying on luck, authorities say he tried to create his own winning moments, setting off a chain of thefts that eventually caught up with him.
Lottery ticket theft from multiple locations
On May 26, 2025, Terrance Patton Jr., 43, was captured on video surveillance stealing six South Carolina Lottery scratch-off tickets at Circle K in Johns Island, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Officials said he allegedly redeemed the stolen tickets for cash prizes totaling $100.
Then, on May 29, 2025, Patton was also captured on video surveillance allegedly stealing a scratch-off lottery ticket at a Publix in Mount Pleasant.
On that same day, Patton allegedly gave 13 scratch-off lottery tickets to an unknown third party. That person then redeemed the tickets at another Circle K on Johns Island.
Police say Patton was caught on video stealing the tickets. The third party redeemed the stolen tickets for cash prizes of $280, but then gave the prize money back to Patton.
He was also caught on video surveillance stealing a scratch-off lottery ticket at a Publix in Charleston on the same day.
Patton was employed at a Spinx, where he allegedly stole lottery tickets while working there, authorities said. He redeemed the stolen tickets for cash prizes totaling $500.
Arrest and charges
SLED announced Patton has been arrested. He was charged with four counts of intent to defraud and counterfeit game tickets.
Patton was booked into the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center.
Big scratch-off win, legally
A couple of South Carolina Lottery players are celebrating their recent big wins on scratch-off tickets they legally purchased from stores.
First is a Midlands woman who decided not to buy a second lottery ticket, but then changed her mind and went back into the store to get another ticket. That ticket ultimately won her $1 million.
The woman initially told the clerk she wanted to buy two tickets, but then asked the clerk to put one back. She scratched the one ticket, and it wasn’t a winner, so she was curious about the other ticket she didn’t buy.
“So I went back in and got it,” she told lottery officials. “I scratched it and thought, ‘Am I looking at this right?’”
She was seeing it right, as the second Million Dollar Mania ticket won her $1 million. With the money in hand now, she told lottery officials she plans on paying off her bills and saving the rest for a rainy day.
The lucky winner purchased that winning ticket at the J and S Food Mart located on Forest Dr. in Columbia. For selling the winning ticket, the store received a $10,000 bonus from the state lottery.
Enjoy playing the South Carolina Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
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