Prince George’s County Man Wins $50,000 Lottery Prize

CHELTENHAM, Md. (AP) — Jorge Vasquez, Jr. was all smiles on March 12 when he visited Lottery headquarters to claim his $50,000 Pick 5 lottery prize. The date marked a significant turn of fortune for the Prince George's County school employee, whose winning ticket is the culmination of decades of playing the same set of numbers.

The numbers on Vasquez’s ticket, purchased from The Liquor Junction in Cheltenham, derive from his father’s license plate. “I’ve been playing these numbers, in one form or the other, for 10 years, maybe even longer,” he stated, recalling how the digits have always held a special significance for him. “For some reason the numbers always stuck in my head, always seemed special.”

Vasquez bought the winning $2 ticket, covering both the midday and evening drawings on March 6, the day he unwittingly sparked a series of elating emotions upon discovering his win. He reflected on the moment: “I changed my clothes, sat down to relax and pulled out my phone to check the midday Pick 5 number.”

He remembered feeling a rush of anticipation as he recognized the winning number, delighting in the fact that his family, including his father, was present during the reveal. “I told him that his plate number had come through for me and that I’d won $50,000. It was emotional for both of us. There were tears,” Vasquez said.

With his newfound wealth, Vasquez plans to prioritize paying bills and assisting a family member purchasing a home. “It’s a blessing,” he remarked about his good fortune.

The Liquor Junction will also celebrate, as the retailer receives a $500 bonus for selling the ticket that yielded the significant win.