Victoria, BC- A Victoria man is facing charges after investigators brought a series of lottery ticket thefts to a close.
Officers from our Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) and Strike Force (SF) were tasked with investigating a dozen lottery ticket thefts which had occurred in retail business in both Victoria and neighboring jurisdictions in recent weeks. In many of these incidents the suspect would distract the store clerk, reach behind the counter, and steal hundreds of dollars’ worth of lottery tickets.
Investigators identified a suspect. On July 31st, officers observed the suspect enter a store in the 1600-block of Government Street. A plain clothes officer entered the store and observed the suspect reach behind the counter and steal a number of lottery tickets. The suspect fled and was arrested a short distance away. The stolen lottery tickets were recovered.
Investigators later executed a search warrant in the 900-block of Humboldt Street and located further evidence of thefts, including a stolen scooter.
Mark Ewart is facing 3 counts of theft under $5000. Officers are working with investigators from the BC Lottery Corporation and the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch of the Ministry of Attorney General, and are anticipating additional charges. Officers are also working to reunite the stolen scooter with its rightful owner.
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