New York Cab Driver Arrested for Stealing $50,000 Powerball Ticket
A New York City cab driver was arrested Tuesday morning, after he allegedly stole his friend's $50,000 winning lottery ticket and tried to cash the earnings for himself.
Police said Rubelin Segura of the Bronx stole a Powerball ticket worth $50,000 in the record breaking $1.5 billion drawing earlier this month. The ticket belonged to Segura's friend and colleague Victor Castillo, 66, reports NBC New York.
Castillo said Segura got hold of his ticket when they were out at a diner with fellow cab drivers to check the winning numbers on Jan. 14, one day after the Powerball drawing. That's when Segura grabbed the ticket from his hand and took it to check the numbers at a local bodega where Castillo had purchased it.
Once Segura found out how much it was worth, he allegedly tried to switch the ticket and give Castilla one that was worth only $4. However, Castillo realized that Segura had not returned his ticket.
"He snatched it from my hand and ran to the bodega," Castillo said about his winning ticket, reports The New York Daily News. "He came back and threw me a ticket that only won $4. I knew the numbers I played. I knew I won."
Workers at the La Fuerza bodega in the Bronx also told The Daily News that they have surveillance video of Castillo purchasing the $50,000 ticket.
"We saw everything on the videotape," said manager Wagner Cruceta. "Victor bought the ticket. The other guy came to check it but left. It was not nice."
Castillo eventually filed a police report accusing his friend of stealing his Powerball ticket.
"He never came home," recalled Castillo, who said he had a receipt to prove he was the owner of the ticket. "Then I called the cops."
Police then found the stolen ticket in the suspect's possession and arrested him Tuesday morning. Later that night, the 44-year-old accused thief was charged with larceny and forgery at an arraignment.
Despite his earnings, Castillo said he was remorseful over the fact that he had lost a friend over his lucky win.
"He was my friend, but he is no longer. We were like brothers. He betrayed me. I'm still in shock," he said.
But Segura, who was released on his own recognizance late Tuesday -- defended his actions.
"It was both our ticket," he said. "I only went to the store to check the numbers. I was going to split it 50-50 with him."
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