A Maryland man bought three identical tickets for the same Pick 5 drawing, using his employee ID number, and ended up winning a total $150,000. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

June 12 (UPI) -- A Maryland man bought three identical tickets for the same Pick 5 drawing, using the digits from his employee ID number, and ended up winning a total $150,000.

The La Plata man told Maryland Lottery officials he used his employee number from his federal government job to buy three $1 Pick 5 tickets from Lady's Liquors on Crain Highway in La Plata.

The man said he fell asleep before the June 5 drawing, and discovered the next morning that each ticket had earned him a $50,000 prize, for a total $150,000.

The winner said he has kept his prize a secret from his family and is planning to surprise his children.