A Prince George’s County man claimed his $50,000 Maryland Lottery Pick 5 prize just days before the ticket was set to expire. The winning ticket, purchased for the August 21 drawing, had been tucked away for nearly six months before he finally stepped forward to collect his prize.
The winner, a truck driver from Clinton, said he intentionally held on to the ticket but felt a surge of excitement when he finally cashed it in. “I just wanted to hold on to it,” he told lottery officials. “But, I’ll tell you I sure was excited about it.”
Back in August, he followed his usual routine of buying Pick 4 and Pick 5 tickets after work, stopping at 2 Go Convenience and Deli in Savage to purchase his numbers for both the midday and evening drawings. After putting the tickets away, he went home without checking them until the following day.
“I got the printout from a local store and checked the tickets when I got home,” he said. “When I saw my numbers, I just couldn’t believe it.”
Matching the numbers in exact order for a $50,000 win, he celebrated privately, jumping up and down before stashing the ticket in a drawer. He didn’t share the news with anyone—not even his wife—until just before claiming his prize.
“He didn’t even tell me until yesterday,” his wife said as she accompanied him to claim the winnings in Baltimore. “I was shocked he had that winning ticket this whole time.”
Under Maryland Lottery rules, Pick 5 winners must claim their prize within 182 days of the drawing date. With the deadline approaching, he decided it was finally time to collect his winnings.
The lucky winner plans to use the money for home improvements, a possible new car, and a special gift for his wife while setting some aside for savings.
Meanwhile, 2 Go Convenience and Deli, the store that sold the winning ticket, will receive a $500 bonus from the Maryland Lottery.
