CHICORA — A former clerk at a convenience store and his friend are accused of stealing more than $12,000 in lottery tickets.

Jacob W. Barnes, 18, of Petrolia is awaiting a hearing in March following his arrest last week on felony charges of retail theft and conspiracy to commit retail theft.

State police also have an arrest warrant for Barnes' co-defendant, Kevin Mackey, 21, of Chicora on felony charges of receiving stolen property, retail theft and conspiracy to commit retail theft.

The alleged crime occurred at the Rummy Mart on South Main Street in Chicora, police said. The store's owner notified authorities Dec. 11 after revenue and lottery tickets — mostly scratch-offs — turned up missing.

This is an excerpt — read the full article in Friday's Butler Eagle.