Authorities want to question man at store

A man described by authorities as a "person of interest" is being sought after allegedly showing up at a convenience store with lottery tickets stolen from another store.

The tickets were taken May 22 from Unionville Mini Mart, U.S. 41-A North, after the store was entered by someone who cut a hole in the cooler, Deputy Melvin Neeley, of the Bedford County Sheriff's Department, said in a report.

"Somebody tried to cash them in the next day at Whiteside Market, U.S. 231 North," Detective Sgt. Brian Farris said Thursday. BCSD personnel want to talk to the man, Farris said.

"We thought we had a suspect Thursday but it turned out not to be him," Farris said. "We need the public's help in identifying the person in the video. They can call our tip line."

The person in the video will not necessarily be charged, Farris said.

Lottery tickets, blank checks and several cases of cigarettes were stolen at the Unionville store, the owner told Neeley.

An alarm system was set but not triggered, the report said.

HOW TO HELP

To leave an anonymous tip with the Bedford County Sheriff's Department, call 685-1335 24 hours a day.