COLUMBUS, Ohio – A local store clerk is arrested after authorities say he falsely claimed to be the owner of winning lottery tickets.
NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS from The Ohio Lottery.
Mahmoud A. Ikhlayel was arrested Wednesday and faces felony and misdemeanor charges after he allegedly falsely claimed to be the owner of winning lottery tickets.
The arrest came after a nearly three-month investigation.
Ikhlayel, 55, is a store clerk at Downtowner Marathon on Rich Street in Columbus.
Ikhlayel was indicted on a misdemeanor thief charge involving a $200 winning ticket, a felony count of theft involving a $6,000 winning ticket and two felony counts for telecommunications fraud.
Both tickets were presented to Ikhlayel by undercover lottery investigators posing as customers.
In both instances, Ikhlayel told the investigators the tickets were not winning tickets. An investigation indicated both tickets were validated at the Downtowner Marathon shortly after being presented to Ikhlayel, authorities said.
Downtowner Marathon store manager Jehangir Sadiq fully cooperated in the investigation, and the store continues as a lottery retailer.
"We are happy to work with the Ohio Lottery Commission to detect, investigate and prosecute any fraud in the system," Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien said.
For the latest news and information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail stories@nbc4i.com.
MORE: NBC 4 Local News | Local Crime News
NBC 4 SPORTS: Sports News, Video
NBC 4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement