$50K Winning Lotto Ticket Used Dad's License Plate Numbers

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — A school employee who used his dad's license plate numbers as his Pick 5 lottery ticket numbers won $50,000.

“I’ve been playing these numbers, in one form or the other, for 10 years, maybe even longer,” said the Prince George’s County resident. “For some reason the numbers always stuck in my head, always seemed special.”

The man's Pick 5 ticket, which he purchased from The Liquor Junction at 11201 Crain Highway in Cheltenham, was in his pocket when he arrived home from work.

“I changed my clothes, sat down to relax and pulled out my phone to check the midday Pick 5 number,” the man recalled, adding that his father and another family member were with him. “I recognized the number right away, but I didn’t want to say anything until I went to get the ticket from my work pants. I knew it matched, but I wanted to be absolutely positive.”

He sat down next to his dad and shared the good news.

“I told him that his plate number had come through for me and that I’d won $50,000. It was emotional for both of us. There were tears," he said.

Paying bills is first on the list of what to do with his winnings, the Prince George's County's man told lottery officials. The Liquor Junction will receive a $500 bonus for selling the $50,000 Pick 5 winner.