A series of brazen lottery ticket thefts at a Lakeland convenience store has led to an arrest, according to Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Over four occasions spanning just one week, a total of $785 worth of instant lottery tickets were stolen, pushing the store to implement preventive measures.
The thefts took place on August 24, 28, 29, and 30, marking a spree that was put to a halt after the store made unidentified changes to security. This resulted in the thwarting of an additional theft attempt on September 3 by the same individual who had targeted the establishment previously. The repeat nature of the crimes appeared to give detectives the edge they needed.
In their pursuit for answers, PCSO Detectives Arcila and Evans were able to single out 29-year-old David Martinez Santiesteban as a prime suspect, as reported on the Polk County Sheriff’s Office’s news page. After obtaining an arrest warrant, they didn’t have to go far to find him…