Thieves Steal Up to $36,000 in Lottery Tickets During Tarrytown Break-In

A New York store owner is dealing with a costly setback after thieves broke into his business and stole thousands of dollars’ worth of lottery tickets.

The burglary happened around 4:30 a.m. Saturday at Tappan Zee Stationery on South Broadway in Tarrytown, according to local police. Surveillance footage captured two suspects arriving by car, smashing the bottom section of the front door with a rock, and rushing inside.

The thieves reportedly grabbed lottery tickets and a cash drawer before escaping in just two minutes. A third suspect allegedly stayed in the getaway vehicle.

Lottery Ticket Losses Could Reach $36,000

Store owner Muayed Kassim rushed to the business after learning about the break-in and was shocked by the damage and theft.

Police initially estimated that more than $70,000 worth of lottery tickets had been stolen. However, Kassim said he spoke with the New York Lottery and believes the actual value is closer to $34,000 to $36,000.

The loss could create a serious financial burden for the business. Kassim explained that lottery retailers can still be held responsible for stolen tickets, making this type of crime especially difficult to recover from.

Police Investigate Possible Connections

The break-in occurred about two hours before the store was scheduled to open. Kassim is now trying to figure out how his business will handle the financial impact.

No arrests have been made so far. Tarrytown police are working with law enforcement agencies across Westchester and nearby counties to determine whether the incident is connected to similar burglaries in the area.