Pennsylvania Lottery Tickets Help Police Track Down Man Wanted for Homicide
Posted on: December 18, 2025, 01:52h.
Last updated on: December 18, 2025, 02:08h.
- Stolen Pennsylvania Lottery tickets helped locate a suspect in a string of robberies
- The suspect has been charged with attempted homicide, too
Pennsylvania Lottery tickets make great gifts this time of the year for those old enough to play. Exceptions, however, include if the gift recipient is wanted for murder or if the scratch-offs are stolen.
In a most bizarre story, Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) and local law enforcement in York County say lottery tickets helped them locate a fugitive wanted on a string of alleged crimes, including attempted murder. The PSP and York City Police Department had been on the hunt for a man suspected of robbing numerous businesses since October, with one of the thefts including the stabbing of a Dollar General store manager.
Clyde Fa, 44, was released from state prison in 2022 after serving more than 26 years for a December 1995 murder in York County, in which he pleaded guilty to being an accomplice while a minor. Police allege Fa began a violent robbery spree dating back to at least October.
A police affidavit alleges Fa robbed the Snack and Smoke at 1270 E. Philadelphia St., the Smoke and Chill at 100 E. Princess St., the Dollar General at 299 N. Sherman St., and a Sunoco gas station at 2145 Roosevelt Ave. All of the businesses are located within York City.
Stolen Lotto Tickets Identify Suspect
On October 25, police say Fa robbed the Dollar General and made off with a basket of items without paying. When a female cashier ran after him, he reportedly said she was “lucky I didn’t rob you.”
Fa reportedly returned to the same Dollar General on November 10 at around 8:50 pm, shortly before the store was to close. Fa allegedly brandished a knife and told the cashier to empty the cash register.
After the worker said only her manager could open the register, Fa allegedly grabbed the worker by the back of her neck and told her “to be quiet,” or he would kill her. Fa walked the worker to the manager’s office, where he and the manager engaged in a scuffle that resulted in the Dollar General supervisor suffering several stab wounds to his upper body.
The supervisor and employee escaped, with Fa eventually fleeing without stealing any money.
On November 25, Fa reportedly returned to the Snack and Smoke to rob it again. In the first robbery there, he reportedly made off with $5,000 in cash. This time, he made off with $1,000.
Three days later, Fa robbed the Sunoco and made off with around $1,500 in cash and a bundle of Pennsylvania Lottery tickets. The following day, one of the stolen tickets was redeemed at a convenience store at 320 E. Philadelphia St.
The Pennsylvania Lottery tipped off law enforcement that one of the stolen tickets had been cashed. The Konvie Mart convenience store had surveillance video. With the help of the criminal database JNET, police were able to identify Fa as the suspect.
Stolen lottery tickets are easily traceable, as Casino.org has detailed previously.
Stolen Items Found
Police located Fa at his brother’s house on Saturday. In the home, police discovered stolen items from the robberies, along with a Glock 9-millimeter handgun and the knife used in the Dollar General act.
Fa has been charged with attempted homicide, robbery, aggravated assault, possession of a prohibited firearm, retail theft, and carrying a firearm without a license.
Fa is due in court on January 13 for a preliminary hearing. He remains in York County Prison after being denied bail.
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