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delayed again: Accused calls for interpreter
By Geoff Mosher / News Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
WESTBOROUGH -- The Getty Mart convenience store clerk who allegedly took a $20,000 winning "Lucky Stars" ticket from a local college student last week had his arraignment postponed for a second time because a French interpreter failed to appear in court.
Antoine Y. "Tony" Reiche, 34, of 20B High St., Westborough, is scheduled to be arraigned on Feb. 2.
On Thursday, police arrested Reiche, a clerk at the 11 Milk St. store, and charged him with larceny over $250 for the Jan. 19 incident. The following day, Reiche had his arraignment postponed after defense attorney Ann Johnston asked for a continuance, claiming he needed a French interpreter. :roll:
Westborough resident Erika Schmitt, 18, a University of Massachusetts freshman, purchased the $2 ticket Jan. 19 and scratched it in the store. After discovering she had stars in all 10 spots on the ticket -- which pays $20,000 -- Schmitt showed the ticket to Reiche, who allegedly ripped the ticket out of her hand*, said she had scratched six stars and gave her $100, the corresponding prize for that number.
Schmitt later filed a complaint with local police. Westborough Police Chief Alan Gordon said police confiscated the store video, its daily reports, a printout of the lottery machine and the trash. The winning ticket, however, has not been located.
Gordon, who called Reiche's proclaimed language barrier a ploy, said police spoke with him during the investigation. Schmitt also said she had spoken in English with Reiche many times over the last few years when visiting the store.
Based on this story, makes you wonder whether the charge of robbery might have fit:
By Geoff Mosher / News Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
WESTBOROUGH -- The Getty Mart convenience store clerk who allegedly took a $20,000 winning "Lucky Stars" ticket from a local college student last week had his arraignment postponed for a second time because a French interpreter failed to appear in court.
Antoine Y. "Tony" Reiche, 34, of 20B High St., Westborough, is scheduled to be arraigned on Feb. 2.
On Thursday, police arrested Reiche, a clerk at the 11 Milk St. store, and charged him with larceny over $250 for the Jan. 19 incident. The following day, Reiche had his arraignment postponed after defense attorney Ann Johnston asked for a continuance, claiming he needed a French interpreter. :roll:
Westborough resident Erika Schmitt, 18, a University of Massachusetts freshman, purchased the $2 ticket Jan. 19 and scratched it in the store. After discovering she had stars in all 10 spots on the ticket -- which pays $20,000 -- Schmitt showed the ticket to Reiche, who allegedly ripped the ticket out of her hand*, said she had scratched six stars and gave her $100, the corresponding prize for that number.
Schmitt later filed a complaint with local police. Westborough Police Chief Alan Gordon said police confiscated the store video, its daily reports, a printout of the lottery machine and the trash. The winning ticket, however, has not been located.
Gordon, who called Reiche's proclaimed language barrier a ploy, said police spoke with him during the investigation. Schmitt also said she had spoken in English with Reiche many times over the last few years when visiting the store.
Based on this story, makes you wonder whether the charge of robbery might have fit:
