January 29, 2013 -- Shortly after receiving a $10 tip from a customer for a late night car tow, Christopher Brown of Vernon got off from work and stopped to get dinner.  “I went to pick up some Chinese take-out,” Brown explained to Lottery officials.  “While I was waiting for my food, I took the change from the $10 and went next door to Krauszer’s.  I noticed the ‘Pirate’s Treasure’ ticket and bought one—it turned out to be a $30,000 winner.”

A winning number match on Brown’s Pirate’s Treasure ticket ultimately revealed one of the game’s $30,000 top prizes.  “I scratched the ticket and a $3 prize and thought I won my money back.  Then I saw all the zeros after it.  I had to sit down—I felt like I was dreaming,” Brown said with a laugh.

Brown was thrilled with the prize check he received at CT Lottery headquarters in Rocky Hill for $20,491 (value after taxes).  “I recently moved from Massachusetts to Connecticut.  I sold my car to help pay for the move.  This prize will help me to buy a new car,” Brown said.

For selling Brown his $30,000 top prize winning ticket, Krauszer’s, located at 73 East Street in Vernon, will receive a $300 bonus check from the CT Lottery.