Miami convenience store manager arrested in massive scratch-off ticket theft: Police

The manager of a Miami convenience store has been arrested in the theft of a large amount of Florida Lottery scratch-off tickets, police said.

Rakesh Tanguturi, 34, was arrested Monday on charges of organized fraud $50,000 or more and grand theft, an arrest report said.

According to the report, Tanguturi was the manager of Bargain Stop 2 at 249 Northwest 62nd Street.

Last month, the store’s owner reported an ongoing theft of Florida Lottery scratch-off tickets involving Tanguturi after he noticed suspicious financial activity involving thousands of dollars withdrawn from the store’s bank account for lottery related transactions, the report said.

The owner found scratch-off ticket books had been stolen and confronted Tanguturi, who denied any involvement or wrongdoing, the report said.

The owner said he later received a text message confession from Tanguturi and said Tanguturi confessed in person to him and a Florida Lottery investigator, the report said.

The total amount of the lottery tickets taken exceeded $300,000, but due to winning tickets being used to offset part of the loss, the confirmed amount of theft was $60,546.95, the report said.

A Florida Lottery investigator found the stolen scratch-off ticket books were cashed in bulk at a single retailer, which the investigator said was unusual and “indicative of fraud,” the report said.

Tanguturi was booked into jail and was expected to appear in bond court on Tuesday.