SAN ANTONIO — A 35-year-old man is accused of stealing lottery tickets from at least three different south-side convenience stores in recent weeks, according to the San Antonio Police Department.
SAPD Officer Ricardo Guzman said Alex Vasquez was taken into custody Thursday, after investigators tracked him down via surveillance footage. Serial numbers on the stolen tickets also helped lead to his arrest, according to Guzman.
The alleged thefts occurred between Nov. 15 and Dec. 9. Guzman said he would take off with cabinets full of lottery tickets when he had an opening.
“The moment he would get an opportunity, he would grab that case of lottery tickets and run away with it," he said. “He was trying to cash them in, trying to make easy cash.”
Investigators are still working to determine if Vasquez targeted additional stories. He faces multiple counts of theft, and could be imprisoned for up to two years if convicted.
Guzman, meanwhile, added a warning for convenience store workers who find themselves in such a situation.
"It’s not worth chasing after these suspects," he said.
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