Thieves took lottery tickets but they might not be cashing in off the robberies

SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Thieves hit Speedway stores in Menomonee Falls, West Allis and there could be a similar case in Grafton too. They’ve taken more than 150 lottery tickets, but thanks to store clerks they might not be cashing in.

West Allis Police confirm that 62 lottery game tickets were stolen on March 12 from the Speedway on Oklahoma Avenue.

Around midnight two men went behind the counter and stole the lottery tickets while the clerk was in another part of the store. They stole multiple scratch games like Megacrossword and Cashingo.

Three hours later the two men came back to the store and stole more lottery tickets.

The suspects are described as white men in their early 30s. One suspect is described as thin with black hair and mustache, and wore a red and black flannel coat with blue jeans and a blue baseball hat. The other is medium build with short black hair and was wearing all black.

Dave Laverdure works at the Maas Petro Mart in West Allis. Their store hasn’t been hit, but he wasn’t surprised another one was on the other side of town.

“Usually it's a band of people on drugs looking to score some cash and they've come in here to try some things,” Laverdure said.

Thieves also hit the Speedway in Menomonee Falls Saturday. Three people took more than 100 lottery tickets. Police said a woman entered the gas station and created a distraction by dropping and breaking a glass bottle. Meanwhile, two men entered the store, went behind the counter and took the scratch game tickets.

The suspects are described as a white female and two white men in their 50-60s. The woman is described with brown hair pulled back, a ¾ length jacket with a hood and orange glasses on her head. One man is described with brown hair and a mustache, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with the word HOST on it. The other man is described as wearing a baseball hat, dark leather jacket and work boots.

Police haven’t said if the two robberies are connected. However, Speedway customers said Sunday they are hoping the thieves get caught soon.

“I'm starting to wonder how they're getting away with this,” Customer Lovonte Ford said.

However, the thieves might not be getting away with anything. It is the responsibility of the store to report the tickets as stolen to Wisconsin Lottery which would mean the thieves couldn't win any money even if they get a winning ticket. Laverdure said it’s easy to report to the Wisconsin Lottery.

“You tell them what packs were stolen and they'll deactivate the roll,” Laverdure said.

Laverdure hopes it doesn’t happen to their store, but will be on the lookout.

“We have a lot of new people that come in and out,” Laverdure said. “If we don't know them we'll keep an eye on them, we have a camera system.”