May 02, 2012 -- John Pollutro of Torrington was temporarily at a loss for words last Friday morning after winning the “Pinball Wizard XVII” instant game’s $100,000 top prize.  “This moment is just so hard to believe,” Pollutro told Lottery officials, choking up.  

Pollutro was quick to drive to CT Lottery headquarters in Rocky Hill to claim his prize.  “When I scratched the prize area on the ticket and saw $100,000, I wasn’t sure I was seeing things right—I didn’t have my glasses on,” Pollutro said with a laugh.  “So I had the clerk check the ticket for me…and saw ‘Congratulations $100,000 Winner’ on the terminal.  I couldn’t believe it,” Pollutro said.

Pollutro, an elementary school lead custodian, claimed his prize check for $68,303 (value after taxes).  “Today, I’ll be paying off all my bills and will be debt free.  It feels…incredible,” said Pollutro.

For selling the Pinball Wizard XVII top prize winning ticket, Radwicks Coffee & Sandwich, located at 1165 Litchfield Turnpike in New Hartford will receive a $1,000 bonus check from the CT Lottery.