A man dressed as a North Carolina lottery employee stole a lottery machine by picking it up and taking it out of the store, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said.

>> Read more trending news

The theft happened Wednesday at the QuickTrip convenience store.

The owner of the store said the man in uniform also had what looked like an official North Carolina Lottery ID.

"Probably one of the most elaborate schemes I've ever seen in my 25 years," QT spokesman Mike Thornbrugh said.

The thief stole $1,000 worth of scratch-off tickets and a ticket dispenser from the convenience store, police said.

“The individual said he was going to replace them,” Thornbrugh said. “Had a work order. I’m telling you, it’s just one of the most elaborate schemes I have ever seen.”

Surveillance equipment caught the act on camera.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have not released the footage yet.

“He just pulled off a hell of a scheme,” Thornbrugh said. “That’s all I can tell you.”

The stolen tickets are now worthless.

They were reported to the lottery commission, so anyone who tries to cash them won't be getting a prize.

“Most of these rocket scientists try to go somewhere and cash them as quickly as they can,” Thornbrugh said. “The lottery commission is going to be able to match those up, and the other establishments have cameras. So, you have a whole sequence of the crimes, so they’ll be easy to catch and convict, quite frankly.”

About the Author

Featured

8/26/17 - Atlanta, GA - Georgia leaders, including Gov. Nathan Deal, Sandra Deal, members of the King family, and Rep. Calvin Smyre,  were on hand for unveiling of the first statue of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday at the statehouse grounds, more than three years after Gov. Nathan Deal first announced the project.  During the hour-long ceremony leading to the unveiling of the statue of Martin Luther King Jr. at the state Capitol on Monday, many speakers, including Gov. Nathan Deal, spoke of King's biography. The statue was unveiled on the anniversary of King's famed "I Have Dream" speech. BOB ANDRES  /BANDRES@AJC.COM

Credit: Bob Andres