News writer
Colorado officials say a group of alleged thieves cashed in on the state's instant lottery games — without ever buying a ticket. According to a statewide grand jury indictment, a Colorado man and three others worked together to steal more than $150,000 in Colorado Lottery scratch tickets from gas stations and convenience stores in multiple counties.
The thefts followed a repeated formula: create a distraction, snatch the tickets, redeem the winnings fast, and keep the haul under $600 to avoid triggering lottery claims center protocols.
At least 45 different thefts
Between August 2023 and November 2024, prosecutors say Richard McBee committed at least 45 separate lottery scratch-off ticket thefts in Denver, Boulder, Arapahoe, and El Paso counties, as well as other municipalities. According to a press release from Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, McBee worked with Adam Pacheco, Tawny McCurry, and David Goetken during the alleged thefts.
Authorities say the thefts were all completed in similar manners. They would target gas stations where only one attendant was working and they would have one person distract the attendant with some kind of issue outside, like a credit card allegedly stuck in the pump or a supposed gas spill.
While they were getting the attendant outside of the business, another suspect would then sneak behind the counter inside the business and steal high-value Colorado Lottery tickets.
The suspects were moving fast
After taking the lottery tickets, the suspects wasted no time cashing in any of the winning tickets. Prosecutors said McBee would go to a different gas station or lottery retailer and redeem prizes from the stolen tickets.
Lottery retailers will provide customers who come in with a winning ticket of less than $600 with their cash earnings. From there, the store will be reimbursed by the Colorado Lottery. This allows the player to get their winnings quicker than going to one of the four Colorado Lottery claims centers.
If a player won over $600, then they would have to go to one of those claim centers to get their winnings. However, authorities said McBee and the three other suspects only cashed in their winning tickets at lottery retailers. They never obtained anything over $600 from one location, which they would have had to do at a claims center.
Over $150K in stolen tickets
According to Weiser, the retail value of the stolen tickets along with the prize money awarded had a total value of over $150,000.
He said:
The individuals accused of these lottery ticket retail thefts harmed businesses along the Front Range. Colorado Lottery sales proceeds go toward preserving and protecting state parks, trails, and open spaces, so Coloradans who enjoy the great outdoors are also victims of lottery theft.
With the statewide grand jury indictment handed down, McBee is facing four counts of Class 4 felony theft. Pacheco is facing one count of Class 4 felony theft, and McCurry and Goetken are each facing one count of Class 5 felony theft.
According to the press release, Colorado Lottery Senior Director Tom Seaver stated:
The Colorado Lottery's Security & Investigations section is dedicated to ensuring the integrity and security of its games, as well as protecting its customers and retailers.
Enjoy playing the Colorado Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
Comments