Caught on camera: Thieves make off with thousands in lottery tickets
According to Tarrytown police, the burglary happened around 4:30 a.m. Saturday at Tappan Zee Stationery on South Broadway.
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A Tarrytown business owner is grappling with the aftermath of a break-in that police say resulted in the theft of tens of thousands of dollars in lottery tickets.
According to Tarrytown police, the burglary happened around 4:30 a.m. Saturday at Tappan Zee Stationery on South Broadway. Surveillance video shows two suspects arriving in a car, smashing the lower portion of the store's front door with a rock and rushing inside. The suspects were seen grabbing lottery tickets and a cash drawer before fleeing. Police say this took about two minutes. They say a third man remained in the vehicle during the theft.
Store owner Muayed Kassim said he rushed to the business after learning about the break-in and was shocked by what happened. He says crimes like this are especially difficult for lottery retailers because they can still be responsible for the value of stolen tickets.
Police initially reported that more than $70,000 worth of lottery tickets had been taken. However, Kassim said that after speaking with the New York Lottery, he believes the value of the stolen tickets is closer to $34,000 to $36,000.
The break-in occurred about two hours before the store was scheduled to open. Kassim says he is now trying to determine how his business will absorb the financial impact.
No arrests have been made. Tarrytown police say they are working with other law enforcement agencies in Westchester and neighboring counties to determine whether the burglary may be connected to similar crimes in the region.
