$50K Winning Lotto Ticket Claimed By Clinton Man Less Than 1 Week Before It Expired

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — With less than a week left to snag his $50,000 Pick 5 prize, the owner of the ticket rushed in to Maryland Lottery and claimed it.

“I just wanted to hold on to it,” said the player from Clinton when he shared his story with Maryland Lottery officials this week. “But, I’ll tell you I sure was excited about it.”

The big winner recalls that back in August he was following a routine of purchasing his Pick 4 and Pick 5 tickets after getting off work. The truck driver stopped at the 2 Go Convenience and Deli in Savage to play his games, including a Pick 5 ticket for both the midday and evening drawings on Aug. 21. He put the tickets away and went home. It was the next day that he discovered the win.

“I got the print out from a local store and checked the tickets when I got home,” he said. “When I saw my numbers, I just couldn’t believe it.”

The married father matched the numbers drawn straight for a $50,000 win. When the lucky player saw he won, he celebrated by jumping up and down and then hid his ticket in a drawer, not sharing the news with anyone.

“He didn’t even tell me until yesterday,” said the winner’s wife who accompanied him to claim the prize in Baltimore. “I was shocked he had that winning ticket this whole time.”

A Pick 5 winning ticket must be redeemed within 182 days from the drawing date. He told lottery officials that he plans to use his winnings for home improvements, maybe a new car, a gift for his wife and will save the rest. The retailer, 2 Go Convenience and Deli at 9016 Washington Blvd., will receive a $500 bonus from the Maryland Lottery for selling the $50,000 winning ticket.