Two Hampton Roads residents won big in Virginia Lottery games recently.
Willie Syms bought a $100,000 Crossword ticket from the Harris Teeter at 1320 Colonial Avenue in Norfolk. He thought he won just $800 when he walked into the Virginia Lottery’s Hampton Roads Customer Service Center but lottery officials had other news for him.
Willie was holding a $100,000 winning ticket — the top prize in the game!
“It doesn’t seem real,” a stunned Mr. Syms said as he waited for his big check.
Meanwhile, over in Chesapeake, Joe Riley was sitting on a winning $100,000 Cash 5 ticket that he was waiting to claim.
Riley waited two months to redeem the ticket. After realizing he’d won the top prize, he quietly put the ticket in a safe deposit box for safe keeping until he was ready to claim it.
“I just couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I wanted to let the excitement wear off.”
He matched all five numbers in the March 24th Cash 5 drawing. He selected a combination of numbers that he’s been playing for some time.
He bought the winning ticket at the 7-Eleven at 1268 Cedar Road in Chesapeake.
Congratulations to both of the winners!
