Playing with fire: Store manager's lottery scheme leads to charges

Two Wichita County women face serious legal consequences after allegedly orchestrating an elaborate lottery theft scheme at a local gas station. The weeks-long investigation revealed how a manager reportedly used her position to manipulate records while directing employees to steal lottery tickets, resulting in substantial losses for the business.

The arrests

Brandy Hays and Madelyn Santiago were arrested and charged with engaging in organized criminal activity following an investigation into lottery theft at the Chisholm Corner Sunoco on Central Freeway in Wichita Falls.

The scheme came to light when the store's district manager filed a report on February 10, alleging that store manager Hays and two employees, Santiago and Felix Medina, were involved in the operation.

How the scheme worked

According to Wichita Falls police, Hays allegedly leveraged her position, business model training, and knowledge to manipulate sales reports. She reportedly created the appearance of reconciled sales reports and lottery ticket transactions to hide the theft.

Statements from Santiago and Medina suggest they took tickets from store bundles and illegally checked for winners at Hays' direction. Hays allegedly required a percentage of any winning ticket.

The scheme appears to have operated as a coordinated effort between the three employees, with Hays serving as the leader who used her managerial access to cover their tracks in the company's financial records.

The financial impact

The business conducted an audit that revealed losses exceeding $239,671 - a blow to the Chisholm Corner Sunoco location.

The Texas Lottery Commission confirmed large winning claims made by both Santiago and Hays:

• Hays made eight winning claims between November 27, 2024, and January 7, totaling $14,000
• Santiago made 19 claims between September 30, 2024, and February 3, totaling $18,000

All winning tickets were traced back to bulk bundles at the Chisholm Corner Sunoco, providing crucial evidence that connected the suspects to the crime.

The investigation and aftermath

On March 3, Hays gave a statement to police about the lottery theft scheme. She admitted the winnings had been deposited into her bank account, with her later transferring half to Santiago. She also surrendered additional winning lottery tickets she had not yet claimed.

Investigators were able to piece together the operation through financial records, surveillance, and testimony from the involved parties. The Texas Lottery Commission played a key role by providing documentation of the winning tickets and connecting them to the store's inventory.

Hays was arrested on March 17 and released on March 19 after posting a $150,000 bond. Santiago, who had been listed on Wichita Falls Area Crime Stoppers' Manhunt Monday, was arrested on March 18 and remains in jail on a $150,000 bond.

The third suspect, Medina, has not been charged at this time, though the investigation continues.

This case highlights the serious consequences of lottery fraud and the sophisticated methods authorities use to track and prosecute such schemes.