News writer
Shattered storefronts. Missing lottery tickets. Sleepless business owners are wondering who would keep targeting their stores. That was the scene across parts of Southern California as a string of strange burglaries unfolded between 2024 and 2025.
For months, investigators were chasing leads that seemed to go cold, until one break changed everything. Authorities say they've now tracked down the man at the center of the thefts, ending a high-stakes streak that lasted far too long.
Small businesses targeted
A man has been arrested after he allegedly stole California Lottery tickets from small businesses across Southern California for years.
Raul Jr. Najera, 45, from Los Angeles, has been arrested as the “prime suspect” behind the burglary spree. This was a multi-agency investigation, which included the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Camarillo Police Department, and California State Lottery Investigators.
According to the press release, the cities of Camarillo and Thousand Oaks were hit with five targeted burglaries between 2024 and July 2025. Officials said that small business owners had woken up to shattered glass, broken gates, and thousands of stolen lottery scratchers.
Rotating crew of accomplices
During the investigation, authorities determined that Najera was one of the suspects involved in the alleged burglaries. These burglaries included a rotating crew of accomplices, but police have not yet been able to identify the other suspects as the investigation continues.
Officials said Najera led these coordinated burglaries, which took place at vulnerable “mom-and-pop” stores. The burglaries resulted in the theft of almost $10,000 in lottery tickets.
The suspects would then quickly redeem the winning tickets in South Los Angeles just hours after they were stolen.
Authorities said Najera was previously linked to identical burglaries that took place in Camarillo in 2020.
On August 12, 2025, Najera was caught by LAPD Investigators in Los Angeles committing a lottery ticket burglary with other co-conspirators.
Charges filed
Authorities then presented the criminal cases to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office. Police were then able to obtain an arrest warrant for Najera.
He is currently in custody in the Los Angeles County Jail. The Ventura County Sheriff's Office is working to facilitate his arrest and transfer.
Najera is facing five felony burglary charges, authorities said.
Suspect wanted in Georgia
Meanwhile, in Georgia, the Chatham County Police Department is looking for a suspect in connection with a burglary at a local gas station that resulted in the theft of Georgia Lottery tickets.
This incident took place on September 13, 2024, when a burglary took place at the BP gas station located at 5 South Gateway Boulevard in Savannah. Detectives determined 41-year-old Oladele Lewis was responsible for the burglary, and he is now facing charges in connection with the theft of those lottery tickets.
While police have identified the suspect, they are asking for the public's help in locating Lewis.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the police. In addition, anonymous tips can be sent through the Chatham County Police Department app. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 912-234-2020, where you would remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
Enjoy playing the California Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
Comments