Dumb luck.
A Florida man was hit with federal charges this week after he allegedly stole $7,000 in scratch-off lottery tickets from a convenience store, then returned to the scene of the crime mere hours later to try to redeem his loot, according to authorities.
Justin Farley, 43, pulled into a St. Petersburg Circle K on May 5, and “opened multiple cabinets and took scratch-off lottery tickets,” before fleeing the scene in his grey Hyundai Elantra, according to a probable cause affidavit reviewed by The Post.
Roughly 40 minutes later, Farley arrived at an area 7-Eleven to redeem the $7,000 worth of scratch-offs, according to the document filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
After an unsuccessful attempt, the bumbling thief returned to the same Circle K and tried to cash in on the seven ticket books he had stolen from the store. His attempt once again failed, the document said.
He then left and returned to the Circle K minutes later, only to come up empty a third time, according to the filing.
Disparaged, Farley drove back to the 7-Eleven in a black mask, yellow shirt, and black Nikes and pointed a replica Glock at the clerk, demanding a staffer open the cash register, prosecutors alleged.
He successfully made off with $120 from the register before escorting the clerk to the back of the store and snatching a pack of Newport cigarettes, prosecutors said.
A slew of evidence, including his license plate and surveillance footage, led cops to pull over Farley on May 22 and book him on commercial burglary and grand theft, according to details first reported by The Independent.
After his arrest, Farley told cops he “needed money,” the affidavit said.
He admitted to committing the Circle K and 7-Eleven robbery in a recorded interview with cops. It is unclear if he divulged his repeat visits to both locations.
While in custody on state charges, Farley was indicted by a Tampa grand jury. He was charged federally on Tuesday, according to the outlet.
He now faces one count of interference with commerce by threat or violence, a federal charge under the Hobbs Act, which prohibits robbery that affects interstate or foreign commerce.
The dim-witted thief also has a significant criminal history, including convictions for felony drug and firearm possession.
By ZOE HUSSAIN/New York Post
