A Florida woman faces a grand theft charge after investigators say she scanned and cashed out more than $6,500 in lottery tickets that were accidentally printed at a Palm Coast gas station.
Leandra Tarpley, 31, of Palm Coast, was arrested Sept. 15 after the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office investigated the missing Florida Lottery tickets. Tarpley was an assistant manager at the Circle K where the tickets were allegedly taken.
The investigation began Aug. 26, when deputies responded to the gas station for a delayed larceny report involving more than $6,500 in lottery tickets. Investigators later determined that an employee had accidentally printed 10 tickets, each worth $660, on Aug. 9 before quitting the following day.
According to the sheriff’s office, the employee placed the tickets in a manager’s book behind the counter after another employee told him to. The employee denied taking the tickets and told detectives he quit for unrelated reasons.
Some Luck
Detectives with the FCSO General Assignment Unit reviewed surveillance footage and interviewed Circle K employees and management to determine what happened to the tickets.
Florida Lottery records showed the tickets began being scanned and winnings processed at the same Circle K on Aug. 11, one day after the employee who printed them resigned. Investigators then compared the lottery records with surveillance footage.
That review allegedly showed Tarpley scanning the tickets, processing winning tickets, and using some of the winnings to purchase additional scratch-off tickets. Investigators said she also took the remaining cash.
Her Story Didn’t Match
Detectives later spoke with Tarpley, who admitted scanning tickets she found behind the counter. However, she denied knowing they were the tickets originally printed by the former employee.
Tarpley also reportedly told detectives she did not receive any money from the winnings and only received free lottery tickets. According to investigators, lottery records and surveillance video contradicted that claim and showed Tarpley receiving payouts.
Tarpley was arrested at the Circle K on Sept. 15 and taken to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. She was later released on a $2,500 bond.
Not a Winner
Sheriff Rick Staly had his own way of describing how the investigation turned out.
“This woman must’ve thought she hit the lottery, thinking she could get away with scanning these stolen tickets,” Staly said. He added that investigators caught her through their review of the lottery records and surveillance footage, joking that the only thing she won was a trip to the “Green Roof Inn.”
People commenting on the sheriff’s office post also had plenty to say.
“Some people think everything is free, and they can take what they want with no consequences,” one person wrote.
“Definitely NOT a winner this time!!” another commenter said.
Tarpley is charged with grand theft. She is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.