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TAMPA, Fla. \u2014<\/p>\nUSPS mail carrier stole, claimed $2,600 winning ticket, Florida Lottery says<\/p>\n
TAMPA, Fla. \u2014<\/p>\n
A joint investigation by the Florida Lottery Division of Security and the United States Postal Office has resulted in the arrest of a USPS employee who is accused of stealing a winning Florida Lottery ticket from the mail and claiming the prize for herself.<\/p>\n
According to a new release from the Florida Lottery, the investigation began when a player reported that a winning Pick 4 ticket she mailed through the USPS never arrived. The ticket was valued at $2,600 and was purchased at a 7-Eleven in Tampa.<\/p>\n
The ticket had been redeemed on June 19 by Lakaysha Lockhart, who was identified as a USPS mail carrier, the release says.<\/p>\n
Lockhart was arrested following an investigation where she reportedly admitted to investigators that she stole the ticket and redeemed it at the Florida Lottery’s Miami Office.<\/p>\n
Lockhart faces charges of grand theft, dealing in stolen property, filing a false claim for payment, unlawful use of two-way communication device and mail theft.<\/p>\n
The Florida Lottery tells players to sign the back of their winning tickets and keep them in a safe place until they’re ready to claim their prize, and to also carefully consider how they transport a winning ticket.<\/p>\n
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