Miami Convenience Store Manager Arrested in $60,000 Lottery Ticket Theft Scheme

A Miami convenience store manager has been arrested and accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars in Florida Lottery scratch-off tickets, according to police.

Rakesh Tanguturi, 34, was taken into custody Monday and charged with organized fraud exceeding $50,000 and grand theft. Investigators say Tanguturi managed Bargain Stop 2 on Northwest 62nd Street.

The store’s owner reported suspicious lottery-related withdrawals after noticing thousands of dollars missing from the business account. An internal review revealed multiple scratch-off ticket books had vanished.

According to the arrest report, Tanguturi initially denied any wrongdoing. However, the owner later received a text message in which Tanguturi allegedly confessed. Police say he also admitted the theft in person to both the owner and a Florida Lottery investigator.

Authorities determined that while the total value of stolen tickets exceeded $300,000, some winning tickets were redeemed, reducing the confirmed loss to $60,546.95.

Investigators noted that the stolen tickets were redeemed in bulk at a single retailer, a pattern described as highly unusual and indicative of fraud.

Tanguturi was booked into jail and was expected to appear in bond court the following day.