Walmart Cashier Arrested After Allegedly Pocketing Elderly Customer’s Winning $2,700 Lottery Ticket

A cashier at a Walmart convenience store has been arrested on felony grand theft charges after authorities say she hid a winning lottery ticket belonging to an elderly customer, attempting to keep the $2,700 prize for herself.

According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, the case began on Sunday, June 14, when an elderly man visited the Walmart Fuel & Convenience location on South Woodland Boulevard in DeLand to claim winnings from a Florida Lottery ticket. The customer visited the store that morning to claim winnings totaling $2,700 from a Florida Lottery ticket, according to News6.

Police said cashier Tameka Hall, 40, verified that the man’s ticket was a winner, but then allegedly pocketed the ticket instead of returning it to him. According to the affidavit, Hall told the man that the prize amount was too large for the store to pay out and that he would need to take the ticket and receipt to another location to claim it. She then sent him on his way, but kept the crucial documentation.

Hours later, the man realized he never received the receipt needed to redeem his prize and returned to the store to report the issue to management. The store manager reviewed surveillance video, which allegedly showed Hall folding the receipt and placing it into the left pocket of her uniform vest before leaving work for the day.

When confronted, Hall told investigators she had become distracted while dealing with another customer and put the receipt in her pocket, claiming she intended to hand it over to a manager but forgot. She denied any plan to deprive the man of his winnings.

Deputies met with Hall the day after the manager’s discovery. Officials accompanied Hall to her car, where she handed over the winning ticket, and she was placed under arrest. She was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail, with her bond set at $2,500. She posted bond the same day and was released.

Hall was charged with grand theft in the $750-to-$5,000 range, and her next court date is scheduled for July 9. A spokesperson from the sheriff’s office later confirmed that the lottery winner was able to pick up his ticket.