HOUSTON – A convenience store clerk appeared in court Monday after being accused of scratching tickets to see if they were winners before the tickets were sold. Investigators said it happened at the Timewise Food Store at 8190 Katy Freeway in Houston. Clerk Omar Ali, 31, is charged with violation of lottery act, a felony, as some of the tickets had prizes of up to $1 million. According to court documents, investigators believe Ali would use a pin to make very small scratches in the bonus prize box to see if the ticket was an instant winner or not. “Taking away from the customers but it ain’t right though.“Court documents didn’t mention what investigators think Ali was doing with the winning tickets.

HOUSTON – A man is dead after what appears to be a robbery gone wrong, according to the Houston Police Department. The police say an older Hispanic man was found dead on the sidewalk on Fairdale Lane near Richmond Avenue and Hillcroft Street around 6 p.m. Saturday. Investigators say the victim was walking with his son when they were approached by three men. Police believe the man was robbed and shot, and then the men fled the area. “We have three Hispanic male suspects that fled the scene in a light-colored silver, tan sedan,” detective Cory Arrington said.