Friday, March 24, 2023

Pottsville Woman Faces Felony Theft Charges for Stealing Over $34,000 in Pennsylvania Lottery Tickets


A Pottsville woman is locked up in Schuylkill County Prison for stealing over $34,000 in Pennsylvania Lottery Tickets from where she worked.
According to Pottsville Police, on March 22nd, 2023, Patrolman Tina Sullivan was dispatched to Rite-Aid at 10 S. Centre Street for a report of a theft. 

It was learned that the suspect was a current employee, later identified as Shelly Ann Abell, 40, of Pottsville, and that she was still at that location.

With the assistance of the Regional Asset Protection Leader, it was learned that Abell had stolen $34,277.00 in Pennsylvania lottery tickets since November 2022. 

Patrolman Sullivan was able to obtain store surveillance video from asset protection that showed Abell going into the lottery machine and hiding lottery tickets in her clothing without paying for them. The Asset Protection Leader got a written statement from Abell where she admitted to taking the tickets, and amounts which were on the Lottery Shortages reports from November totaling $34,277.00.

Abell was taken into custody and transported to Pottsville City Hall. Abell was interviewed, and she again admitted to taking lottery tickets several times a month and cashing in winning tickets.

During Abell’s arrest, several controlled substances were located inside her purse and were identified as Methamphetamine, and Alprazolam. Other suspected narcotics that were not immediately identified, will be sent to the Pennsylvania State Police Crime Lab for further analysis.

Shelly Ann Abell was charged with One Count - Theft by unlawful taking(F3), One Count - Receiving Stolen Property (F3), One Count Unlawful use of a computer (F3), Two Counts - Possession of Controlled Substance (M), Possession of Paraphernalia (M).

Abell was arraigned by District Justice Rossi and was remanded to Schuylkill County Prison on $1,000 straight cash bail.

Additional charges are pending further investigation.