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New Jersey police search for duo involved in store break-in, stealing cash and lottery tickets

Do you know these men?

Still image from the security camera footage of the two suspects from the Friday, July 19, burglary that took place in the 300 block of South Orange Avenue.
Still image from the security camera footage of the two suspects from the Friday, July 19, burglary that took place in the 300 block of South Orange Avenue. Photograph credit to the Newark NJ Department of Public Safety.
Todd Betzold

A business was broken into in New Jersey, and Newark police are searching for the suspects who stole money and lottery tickets.

The break-in

Around 1:30 a.m. on Friday, July 19, two male suspects arrived at the front of a store in the 300 block of South Orange Avenue, according to the Newark NJ Department of Public Safety.

Director Fritz G. Fragé said one of the suspects struck the business's camera with a stick, breaking it.

After breaking the camera, the suspect walked away and then returned a little while later with another male suspect.

Around 3:40 a.m., the police said the two suspects returned to the business.

The first suspect broke a glass window to the business and then climbed into the store. While in the store, police said the suspect stole scratch-off lottery tickets and $570 from the cash register.

Police said the second suspect never entered the store, but he stood outside as a lookout while the burglary was taking place.

Description of the suspects

While the video shared by police shows the suspects, detectives have shared descriptions for both.

The first suspect is a Black male with a bald head, wearing gray sweatpants, a white shirt, black sneakers, and blue socks.

The second suspect was described as a Black male with a bald head, wearing blue jeans, a white shirt, and white sneakers. The second suspect also had a black fanny pack on his waist and was carrying a stick.

Contact police with information

If anyone has information regarding the identity of either suspect, Director Fragé is urging you to contact the police.

You can call the Police Division's 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477).

Scratch-off winners

New Jersey Lottery players have had some luck recently playing scratch-offs, so you can understand why these suspects wanted to get their hands on some tickets. However, you should do it legally and buy them from these lottery retailers.

For the week of July 15, the New Jersey Lottery announced four big winners from the scratch-off games of $10,000 or more. Those winners were:

  • $10,000 prize from Wild Cash ticket on July 21 - Winning ticket purchased at SHOPRITE #614, located at 1001 Route 70 in Manchester.
  • $10,000 prize from Power 20X ticket on July 21 - Winning ticket purchased at ACME #295, located at Route 35 and 37 in Ortley Beach.
  • $50,000 prize from $50,000 Loaded ticket on July 21 - Winning ticket purchased at QUICK CHEK #68, located at 1 Hampton House Rd. in Newton.
  • $643,000 prize from $1,000,000 Diamond Spectacular ticket on July 21 - Winning ticket purchased at WAWA #8322, located at 330 W. Spruce Ave. in North Wildwood.

In addition to the scratch-off winners, the New Jersey Lottery also had a couple of players hit over $10,000 in the draw games. Those winners were:

  • $50,000 prize from Powerball drawing on July 20 - Winning ticket sold at Jackpocket (Courier), located at 355 Warwick Turnpike in Hewitt.
  • $1.64 million prize from Jersey Cash 5 drawing on July 19 - Winning ticket sold at ZT Convenience Store, located at 214 Haledon Ave. #1 in Prospect Park.

Enjoy playing the New Jersey Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.

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