Fairfax County, VA A man is in custody after allegedly orchestrating a scheme that netted over $6,500 in stolen lottery tickets across multiple locations in Fairfax County.
According to the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD), the investigation began on September 15 when officers were called to a convenience store on Chain Bridge Road in Oakton. The store’s clerk reported a theft and assault involving 39-year-old Mohammad Akhtar of Reston.
Police say that while the clerk was distracted, Akhtar slipped behind the counter and took lottery tickets. Upon the clerk’s return, a confrontation ensued, during which Akhtar assaulted him before fleeing the scene. The clerk sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Following this incident, detectives launched a broader investigation, uncovering a pattern of thefts tied to Akhtar. Between September 11 and September 25, he was linked to six separate thefts involving lottery tickets, with reports indicating he had stolen from two locations on more than one occasion.
The investigation revealed a total loss exceeding $6,500, prompting detectives to act swiftly. On September 26, police apprehended Akhtar and charged him with grand larceny, five counts of larceny by false pretense, and five counts of petit larceny.
