West Newton Woman Arrested Stealing $82,000 Lottery Tickets

Two high-profile lottery ticket theft cases recently emerged from Pennsylvania and Ohio, involving employees accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars worth of tickets from their workplaces. In Pennsylvania, Cheryl C. Keller, a 52-year-old store manager at a BP gas station in Hempfield Township, was arrested for allegedly stealing about $82,000 in lottery tickets over six months, with video surveillance and financial audits providing evidence; she was charged with third-degree retail theft and released on bond pending a hearing. Meanwhile, in Ohio, Traci Weills pled guilty to four charges related to a scheme from 2023 to 2024 in which she stole over $89,000 in lottery tickets and engaged in extensive cover-up efforts, including arson; prosecutors plan to recommend a 23-month prison sentence. Weills' husband is also facing felony charges for attempting to cash stolen tickets. Authorities emphasize the difficulty and risks of stealing lottery tickets, noting strict accounting and oversight measures at retail locations. Both cases highlight ongoing challenges in preventing and prosecuting internal theft at lottery retailers.