GRAND HAVEN, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Sept. 24, 2022) – An overnight traffic stop in Grand Haven may have meant the end of the line for an apparent lottery ticket theft ring that has plagued the Lakeshore.
A number of lottery ticket thefts had been reported in both Ottawa and Muskegon counties in recent days. According to Ottawa County Sheriff’s Sergeant Matthew Wildfong, Central Dispatch received a notice on Friday evening of more such thefts from their counterparts north of the county line.
Just before 1:30 AM on Saturday, Grand Haven police pulled over a vehicle on US-31 that had been reported stolen this past Tuesday evening, with lottery tickets strewn all over the inside of the vehicle.
“The driver admitted to cashing the stolen lotto tickets and advised the tickets in the car were stolen,” Wildfong said in a department statement. “Over $2,000 in cash was seized from the suspects and the vehicle.”
The two adult suspects were taken into custody and will spend the weekend in the Ottawa County Jail awaiting arraignment in Grand Haven District Court. A third suspect was a juvenile who was turned over to his guardian.
The incident remains under investigation, and anyone with any information is asked to contact the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department or Ottawa County Silent Observer (877-887-4536).
