Published on: December 18, 2025, 01:52h.
Updated on: December 18, 2025, 01:54h.
- Lottery tickets discovered in Pennsylvania play a key role in apprehending a robbery suspect
- The suspect faces charges of attempted homicide as well
During the holiday season, Pennsylvania Lottery tickets can make for wonderful gifts, provided the recipient isn’t a fugitive from justice or associated with stolen goods.
In an unusual development, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) and local authorities in York County have reported that lottery tickets played a pivotal role in tracking down a suspect wanted for serious offenses, including attempted murder. The PSP and York City Police Department had been actively searching for a man suspected of robbing several businesses since October, with one incident involving the stabbing of a Dollar General manager.
Clyde Fa, aged 44, was released from prison in 2022 after serving over 26 years for his involvement as a minor in a murder case from December 1995 in York County. Authorities claim Fa has initiated a spree of violent robberies that stretches back to at least October.
According to a police affidavit, Fa is alleged to have robbed establishments including Snack and Smoke at 1270 E. Philadelphia St., Smoke and Chill at 100 E. Princess St., Dollar General at 299 N. Sherman St., and a Sunoco gas station at 2145 Roosevelt Ave. All of these locations are situated within York City.
Identification of the Suspect via Stolen Lotto Tickets
On October 25, police reported that Fa held up the Dollar General, escaping with a cart full of goods. When a female cashier pursued him, he allegedly told her she was “lucky I didn’t rob you.”
Fa is purported to have returned to the same Dollar General on November 10 around 8:50 p.m., just prior to closing. He allegedly brandished a knife and demanded the cashier open the cash register.
After the cashier informed him that only her manager could access the register, Fa reportedly seized her by the neck, threatening to kill her if she did not stay quiet. He then forced her to the manager’s office, where he engaged in a struggle with the manager, resulting in the latter sustaining multiple stab wounds.
Both the supervisor and employee managed to escape, while Fa fled the scene without obtaining any cash.
Fa allegedly returned to Snack and Smoke on November 25 to rob it a second time. During his first robbery, he reportedly stole $5,000; this visit netted him $1,000.
Three days later, he robbed the Sunoco, making off with about $1,500 in cash and a set of Pennsylvania Lottery tickets. The next day, one of the stolen tickets was cashed at a convenience store located at 320 E. Philadelphia St.
The Pennsylvania Lottery alerted law enforcement after one of the stolen tickets was redeemed. The Konvie Mart convenience store had surveillance footage of the incident. Using the criminal database JNET, authorities were able to confirm Fa as the suspect.
As previously highlighted by Casino.org, stolen lottery tickets can be traced quite easily.
Recovery of Stolen Items
Authorities located Fa at his brother’s residence on Saturday. Inside, they uncovered stolen property from the robberies, alongside a Glock 9-millimeter handgun and the knife thought to have been used at Dollar General.
Fa faces a multitude of charges, including attempted homicide, robbery, aggravated assault, illegal possession of a firearm, retail theft, and unlawful firearm carrying.
He is scheduled to appear in court on January 13 for a preliminary hearing and remains in custody at York County Prison after bail was denied.