Lottery winner arrested after winning jackpot

[torontosubway 11]

A Brampton man has been arrested after winning a $4.4 million jackpot when OLG (Ontario Lottery and
Gaming) authorities discovered he was wanted by police for theft.

 

Immediately after posing with his $4,377,298 cheque, 45-year-old Barry Shell was arrested by Peel police and kept overnight to appear in a Brampton courtroom on Tuesday.

Shell purchased an Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) ticket from a Petro Canada (a gas station) in Brampton, and he found out on Monday that he was the multi-million dollar jackpot winner.

 

Little did he know, his glory would be short-lived.

 

The OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) notified Peel police that they had a warrant for Shell's arrest after he failed to show up for a 2003 court date regarding theft under $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime.

 

Rui Bram of the OLG told the newspaper that a "rigorous" background check is conducted after any prize is claimed.

 

An OLG press release says Shell has not made any plans on what he would do with the winnings.

[masssc4 3]

hahahaha idiot

[Patricius Maximus 236]

I hope he'll be able to keep the jackpot, but it was stupid of him to buy lottery tickets from the government when that government was after him.

[Jumpthefence 74]

Is he even able to post bail for this sort of thing? I would suppose missing court is a federal offense in Canada as it is in the US. I would laugh so hard if they didn't let him bail! It would be something like this:

Guy: Can I post bail?

Police: Nope.

Guy: But I won 4 million dollars! How much is bail?

Police: Hmm... what part of 'no' do you not understand?

*police walks away*

I don't know about you, but I think that would be hilarious simply because of the irony in it!

[Easy Bakes 253]

Now he can buy his way into probation.

[sneakeypete 16]

Unless he was looking at jail time (or loss of the prise), and i was in his shoes, i wouldn't worry to much. You loose your job while in custody? so what, you've got 4 million bucks.

[Shingure 56]

Well he can afford a god lawyer now I guess. >.>

[Aro0w 1]

I'm pretty sure he would lose the money, although I think he should be able to keep

[blade2k5 1,523]

I don't think he'll get much of that 4 mil if any at all. The Gov't will find a way to snatch a large portion of it me thinks.

[hamsterTK 93]

I think he should keep the winnings, under the conditions he does something like a real-world version of "My Name is Earl"

[Easy Bakes 253]

I dont see how they could not award him his winnings. He bought his ticket the same as every one else.Is it his fault  the police didnt move on a 6 year old warrent?

They would probably make him repay what he stole is about it.