Van Nuys : Brewery Worker Wins $3 Million in Lottery

An Anheuser-Busch mechanical technician who faithfully played the same six numbers twice a week since the “Super Lotto” began 10 years ago opted instead to use the “quick pick” method to chose his numbers Jan. 10.

It was a decision that made Aron Neuman $3 million richer Tuesday afternoon, according to California Lottery spokeswoman Gina Stassi.

Neuman told Lottery officials that he had made a habit of playing his birthday and his deceased mother’s birthday for about a decade. Although those are not the numbers he hit with, Stassi said, “It’s something he believes brought him luck.”

When Neuman went to the Roscoe A D Shell Station, 15710 Roscoe Blvd. in Van Nuys, to cash in his ticket, he was actually under the assumption that he only had five of six numbers correct, Stassi said.

“He was very shocked,” she said, when he learned of his winnings.

Neuman has declined to hold a Lottery press conference because he’s “a bit leery of the media,” Stassi added.

His $3-million prize will be dispersed in yearly payments of $150,000 for the next 20 years, Stassi said. Taxes will eat about $42,000 of the annual payment. The gas station owner, Jab Dhillon, will receive a $15,000 payment.

Those winning numbers, by the way: 2, 3, 9, 12, 30 and 51.