Irate Man Demands Cash for Bungled Lotto Ticket, Arrested

Story written by Leah Bush

One Syosset man's luck ran out Friday in an ironic twist the would make anyone wince.

Michael Sullo, 43, played the same lotto number day after day at Food Express on Jericho Turnpike in Syosset hoping to win it big. His numbers finally hit Friday with a pay out of $250; the only problem was he wasn't holding a winning ticket.

According to police, the 27-year-old clerk had mistakenly entered the wrong number, leaving Sullo with two worthless stubs of paper. Furious, Sullo demanded the full payout. After offering to pay half, the clerk left the store and left the parking lot in his car. Sullo, unsatisfied with the offer, then followed the clerk in his car and forced him to pull over. He then drew a box cutter and again demanded full payment. 

The clerk relented and sent Sullo back to the store to collect his money. Sullo went back to the store, collected $250 and fled in his car. Approximately 25 minutes later, Sullo was seen by Second Precinct patrol officers on the corner of Edwards Avenue and Florence Avenue where he was placed under arrest at 7 p.m. without incident.

Sullo was charged with first degree robbery and fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead on Saturday.