Police say Lake Wales woman tried to cash in stolen lottery ticket

LAKE WALES, Fla. - A woman attempted to cash in a winning lottery ticket at a Lake Wales store.  However, the ticket had been stolen from that retailer earlier in the day, according to police.

Just hours after the January 4 burglary of Amir's Grocery Store on 1st St in Lake Wales, Jessica Marie Stewart, of Lake Wales, went into the store and attempted to cash a winning lottery ticket.

The ticket she submitted as a winner was one of the lottery tickets which were stolen.

After the clerk began asking questions about where the woman obtained the lottery ticket, she realized the clerk knew the lottery ticket was stolen.

Lake Wales Police say Stewart then snatched the ticket out of the clerk's hand and ran from the store.

Anyone having information of Stewart's whereabouts or additional information on this case is asked to call Detective Mary Jerome at (863) 678-4223 extension 274 or Polk County Crime Stoppers at (800) 226-8477.