3 Lottery Wins, One Based Off Broken Odometer, Celebrated By Joppa Man

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — A Joppa man has won the lottery not once, not twice but three times.

Douglas Eck just won $25,000 playing Pick 5, which follows a $100,000 scratch-off win in 2008 and a $50,000 top-prize Bonus Match 5 win in 1995.

“This is my bronze medal, but I am still happy,” he said, joking about comparing the size of his $25,000 win to his previous scores.

The Joppa resident said he has played Pick 5 since the game started in February. Douglas placed boxed bets until Oct. 14 when he placed a 50-cent straight bet for the first time in the midday and evening drawings. His number 82466 came up in the midday drawing.

“I have been playing box and I thought I would be better off playing it straight. The payout was worth it,” he said.

The 60-year-old plays the same number every day, which is based on an odometer. He bought an old truck with a broken odometer that is stuck on 82,466 miles. A retiree, Douglas said his prize will go toward bills.

Eck bought the winning ticket at Royal Farms #070 at 500 Joppa Farm Road in Joppa. The Harford County retailer will receive a $250 bonus for selling a $25,000-winning Pick 5 ticket.