Almost a week ago, I stole lottery game tickets valuing less than $50 from my workplace, a gas station. I later cashed them in at another establishment, winning prizes generating less than $25.
I have never done anything like this before (clean record, graduated high school and college with honors) and it was definitely a cry for help. I recently moved out on my own and have had a very hard time taking care of myself financially. In a fit of frustration and desperation, I stole the goods. Since committing said crime, I've woken up to how irresponsible I've been and that I now need to grow up and take control of my life one day at a time.
That same night, another employee was caught stealing lots of merchandise - health/beauty products, candy, soda, etc. and after he skipped his next shift was fired and confronted with video of his theft. Because of his extremely guilty-seeming actions (skipping shifts, stealing other things), the lottery theft has been placed on him as far as management can tell. They did not have the lotto machine on camera that night, and because of that they can't prove it is him, but they are certain.
No charges have been pressed and it is pretty much a closed case as far as I can tell, however, the state lotto commission still investigates the cashing of stolen tickets.
What I am wondering is - how likely is it that a stolen ticket I cashed over a week ago could still be traced back to me?
How seriously would a company that makes several million in profit each day take a theft of less than $75?
What rights do I have if I am questioned or accused of stealing the tickets?
And most importantly, now that I have learned my lesson and definitely made a commitment to bettering myself, what course of action should I take?
This has been absolutely destroying me, not knowing whether or not I will be charged with this, and to be free of this emotional baggage would be liberating and give me a new lease on life.
I have never done anything like this before (clean record, graduated high school and college with honors) and it was definitely a cry for help. I recently moved out on my own and have had a very hard time taking care of myself financially. In a fit of frustration and desperation, I stole the goods. Since committing said crime, I've woken up to how irresponsible I've been and that I now need to grow up and take control of my life one day at a time.
That same night, another employee was caught stealing lots of merchandise - health/beauty products, candy, soda, etc. and after he skipped his next shift was fired and confronted with video of his theft. Because of his extremely guilty-seeming actions (skipping shifts, stealing other things), the lottery theft has been placed on him as far as management can tell. They did not have the lotto machine on camera that night, and because of that they can't prove it is him, but they are certain.
No charges have been pressed and it is pretty much a closed case as far as I can tell, however, the state lotto commission still investigates the cashing of stolen tickets.
What I am wondering is - how likely is it that a stolen ticket I cashed over a week ago could still be traced back to me?
How seriously would a company that makes several million in profit each day take a theft of less than $75?
What rights do I have if I am questioned or accused of stealing the tickets?
And most importantly, now that I have learned my lesson and definitely made a commitment to bettering myself, what course of action should I take?
This has been absolutely destroying me, not knowing whether or not I will be charged with this, and to be free of this emotional baggage would be liberating and give me a new lease on life.
