OTTUMWA – An Ottumwa man faces multiple felony charges after being accused of stealing dozens of lottery tickets from the gas station that employed him.

According to court documents, the theft occurred on July 2nd at the Yesway gas station located on West 2nd Street in Ottumwa. 54-year-old Jeffery Penca was allegedly caught on video surveillance footage stealing a total of 66 lottery tickets from the gas station. Authorities say Penca scanned the tickets into the cash register, but did not pay for them, and that he kept the winning tickets. The cumulative value of the stolen tickets was reportedly $1,900.

Penca was taken into custody on Tuesday, October 27 and charged with a total of three felonies, including Ongoing Criminal Conduct – Unlawful Activity (Class B felony), Lottery – Forgery or Theft of Ticket (Class D felony), and 2nd Degree Theft (Class D felony). He remains lodged in the Wapello County Jail on a $35,000 bond.