Bradenton man accused of stealing $20K in lottery tickets, deputies say
A Bradenton man is accused of stealing thousands of dollars’ worth of scratch-off lottery tickets from an Englewood gas station, according to investigators.
Deputies arrested Naveen Gupta, 48, on a charge of grand theft after investigators said he stole about $20,000 worth of lottery tickets from the store, court records show.
An attorney representing Gupta declined to comment when reached by the Bradenton Herald.
Bradenton man accused of lotto ticket theft
The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office said they began investigating after the owner of the Marathon Gas Station discovered that 28 lottery ticket books were missing and several of them had been activated in a short period of time.
The owner suspected Gupta because he was the only other employee who could activate and handle the lottery books and because security cameras were repeatedly disabled during Gupta’s shifts, according to an arrest report.
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from a Publix on Placida Road and said it showed Gupta cashing winning scratch-off tickets during three visits to the store. The report states Gupta cashed five tickets during one visit, 15 during another and seven during a third.
Detectives said they identified Gupta in the videos by his appearance and clothing, including a camouflage hat, glasses and earrings.
Bradenton man asked for job back after theft, deputies say
Gupta allegedly went to Discount Wine & Smoke Shop in Sarasota, another business owned by the gas station owner, where investigators say he admitted to taking the lottery books and asked to be rehired so he could pay back the debt, according to the arrest report.
Investigators said Gupta later confronted the owner again at the Marathon gas station and repeated the request. The owner refused and contacted deputies, who arrested Gupta.
Gupta was released from the Charlotte County Jail on June 16 after posting a $2,500 cash bond, court records show.
