A Cranford man was arrested after police traced stolen tickets and discovered thief cashed-in $270 in winnings, police said today.
On March 11, police responded to a local business on Chestnut Street where it was reported that someone had stolen fifteen New Jersey (ten dollars) instant lottery tickets from the business.
Detective conducted a follow up investigation, that revealed that four of the tickets were cashed as winners at two different stores in Roselle Park prior to them being reported stolen. The winnings were valued at $270.
Video surveillance was obtained at both locations and the same individual was observed cashing the stolen scratch off tickets. The individual cashing the tickets was positively identified as Vincent Calabrese, 21, of Cranford, who was working at the business at the time of the theft.
On March 25, Calabrese turned himself in. Calabrese was charged with the theft.
He was released on a summons with a Roselle Park Municipal Court date.
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