A man buying lottery tickets at a Scarborough store over the summer decided not to wait for the chance at winning a jackpot.

Instead, Toronto Police say he pulled out a gun and demanded to get paid now.

“We have crystal clear images of a suspect, so we’re hoping the public can help us identify him,” Staff-Insp. Mike Earl, who heads up the Holdup Squad, said Thursday.

Earl said the attempted armed robbery occurred around noon on Aug. 26 near Sheppard Ave. E. and Birchmount Rd.

“A man walked into a convenience store, posed as a customer and asked to buy lottery tickets,” Earl said.

But when it was time to pay for his purchase, he said the would-be customer claimed he had forgotten his cash and told the clerk he’d be right back.

A security camera captured the man as he returned a few minutes later and approached the counter.

“In the footage, the guy stares right at the camera as he grabs the sunglasses on his head and lowers them over his eyes,” Earl said. “I guess the glasses were his attempt at a disguise.”

The crook then hiked up the front of his shirt to show the store clerk the black handgun tucked into the waistband of his pants and demanded money.

“But he was scared off by another customer and he fled empty-handed,” Earl said.

Investigators have released video and images of the suspect hoping people will recognize hime and come forward.

The man is described as black, 20 to 30 years old with a medium build.

Anyone with information regarding the suspect’s identity of whereabouts is urged to call the Holdup Squad at 416-808-7350 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1–800-222-TIPS (8477).