East Lake, Florida -- A man has been arrested for robbing multiple gas stations of lottery tickets.
Beginning on March 9, at 7:46 a.m., Paul Johnson entered the Marathon Gas Station located on Hillsborough Avenue in East Lake, and asked for $200 worth of scratch-off lottery tickets. When the clerk placed the tickets on the counter, Johnson grabbed the tickets without paying and fled on foot.
Reportedly, that same day, at 8:42 a.m., Johnson entered the Joe's Deli Citgo on 301 Highway North and again asked for $200 worth of scratch-off lottery tickets. When the clerk put the tickets on the counter, Johnson grabbed them and, without paying, ran to a waiting maroon Toyota Avalon. A witness was able to capture the tag number to the Avalon.
At 9:17 a.m., Johnson went to the Hess Express gas station located on McIntosh Road, and asked for $300 worth of scratch-off lottery tickets. When the clerk placed the tickets on the counter, Johnson grabbed the tickets without paying and fled the area.
According to reports, at approximately 9:36 a.m., Johnson walked into the RaceTrac gas station located in on Townsgate Court in Plant City and cashed one of the stolen scratch-off tickets.
Further investigating by detectives resulted in the identification of Paul Johnson, who lives in Winter Haven. Johnson was located and taken into custody. He was charged with 3rd degree grand theft and dealing in stolen property.