Hunter
12/14/23
A Coralville convenience store employee was arrested after evidence allegedly showed her stealing and cashing in lottery tickets.
During the afternoon of September 20th, closed-circuit footage reportedly showed 30-year-old Jessica Cooke at the HyVee Fast & Fresh on the Coralville Strip selling two lottery tickets and stealing a third. Cooke was also allegedly shown on surveillance footage on numerous occasions between September 22nd and October 31st stealing lottery tickets and concealing them on her person without paying. The store claimed that Cooke stole 37 lottery tickets over that span, as well as miscellaneous food items.
Store officials estimate the value of the lottery tickets, the store items, and the winning tickets tickets Cooke cashed in, come to a total of over $1300.
A warrant for Cooke’s arrest was issued on November 21st; she was taken into custody Tuesday morning and charged with 3rd degree Theft, 4th degree Theft, and theft of Lottery Tickets. If convicted on all counts, she could be sentenced to up to 8 years in prison.