Iowa City man stole Lottery tickets, collected prize money, police say

An Iowa City man was arrested early Thursday morning on theft and forgery charges after he allegedly stole hundreds of lottery tickets and cashed out some winning tickets.

According to the criminal complaint, Zermond Q. Dennison, 27, faces charges of forgery or theft of a lottery ticket, a Class D felony, and third-degree theft, an aggravated misdemeanor.

Police said Dennison, who was employed at the BP gas station at the corner of Scott Boulevard and Court Street between Oct. 1 and 31, allegedly admitted to stealing about 50 to 70 Lottery scratch-off tickets from the store while he was working alone.

According to the criminal complaint, Dennison admitted to cashing the stolen tickets and receiving between $430 to $500 in winnings.

Police said surveillance video shows Dennison cashing those tickets at various locations in Iowa City.

During a business inventory at the BP, police said it was learned the total number of tickets stolen was more than 200.

The tickets had a purchase value of more than $1,700, the complaint states, and a cash-out value of $780.

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