Man stole $7K in scratch-off lottery tickets then returned to store to redeem them just hours later
Justin Farley, 43, pulled into a St. Petersburg Circle K on May 5, and “opened multiple cabinets and took scratch-off lottery tickets.” United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
A Florida man is facing federal charges after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars in lottery tickets — and then returning multiple times to the same convenience store to try to cash them in, according to court records.
Authorities say 43-year-old Justin Farley pulled up to a Circle K in St. Petersburg on May 5, where he broke into several cabinets and took roughly $7,000 worth of scratch-off tickets before fleeing in a gray Hyundai Elantra.
About 40 minutes later, Farley reportedly tried to redeem the stolen tickets at a nearby 7-Eleven, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. When that failed, he returned to the same Circle K to try again — twice. Both attempts were unsuccessful.
Soon after, prosecutors say Farley returned to the 7-Eleven wearing a black mask, yellow shirt, and black Nikes. Brandishing what appeared to be a Glock-style replica handgun, he allegedly demanded the clerk open the register. Farley escaped with $120 in cash and a pack of Newport cigarettes before leaving the scene.
Police tracked him down later using surveillance footage and his license plate number. Farley was arrested on May 22 and booked on state charges of commercial burglary and grand theft. During questioning, he admitted to both the Circle K and 7-Eleven robberies, telling officers he “needed money,” according to the affidavit.
While in custody, a Tampa grand jury indicted him on federal charges. On Tuesday, Farley was charged with one count of interference with commerce by threat or violence — a federal offense under the Hobbs Act, which prohibits robberies affecting interstate or foreign commerce.
Court documents show Farley has a lengthy criminal record, including prior convictions for felony drug and firearm possession.
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