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Police Finalizing Charges Against Melrose Store Owner For Lottery Scam

MELROSE (CBS) – Police are preparing to charge a Melrose shop owner accused of scamming a mentally disabled customer out of her lottery winnings.

Melrose police said on Friday that detectives are finalizing their investigation into the owner of RD's Deli and Market, located on Franklin Street.

Investigators will meet with the Middlesex District Attorney's office to formalize charges against the owner, who is accused of paying a mentally disabled woman less than $1,000 for a winning scratch ticket valued at $10,000.

"These are troubling allegations, in which our investigation shows that a Melrose resident was taken advantage of and duped out of her rightful winnings," Melrose Police Chief Michael Lyle said. "We continue to gather facts and expect to have a resolution to this case soon."

Police added that the store owner's common victualler license expires on December 31, and the city is exploring options for whether or not the license should be renewed.

The victim's family contacted lottery officials after the woman was paid $940 in winnings on the $10,000 ticket. The store owner allegedly and said he had deducted taxes on a $1,000 winner.

Any Massachusetts Lottery ticket with winnings over $600 must be redeemed at the lottery's office.

Melrose police asked anyone who believes they may have been the victim of a similar incident to contact Sgt. Paul McNamara at (781) 979-4472.

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