A Tennessee gas station clerk has been charged with theft for allegedly stealing a $1 million winning lottery ticket from a customer. The incident occurred when a customer bought two $20 Diamond and Gold lottery tickets at a Shell station in Murfreesboro. The customer asked the clerk, Meer Patel, to check if the tickets were winners. Patel handed the customer $40 for one ticket but claimed the other was a loser and threw it away.
Suspicion arose when Patel attempted to cash in the winning ticket. Lottery officials, who verify large wins, launched an investigation. Security footage revealed Patel celebrating after discovering the ticket’s true value. The video showed Patel retrieving the discarded ticket from the trash and pocketing it after the customer left.
Lottery officials contacted the rightful owner, who was initially skeptical but agreed to visit the Tennessee Lottery office to claim his prize. The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office praised the thorough investigation that led to the rightful owner receiving his winnings.
Lt. Detective Steve Craig said, “The customer never knew he was the winner until we made contact with him. This is life-changing money.”
Patel has been charged with theft of over $250,000, classified as a Class A felony. He was booked into the Rutherford County Jail. The sheriff’s department stressed the importance of personally checking lottery tickets to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The surveillance footage also showed Patel’s reaction after scratching off the ticket and discovering its value. His excitement quickly turned to deception as he pocketed the ticket meant for the customer. The video was crucial in identifying the rightful winner and ensuring justice was served. The case serves as a reminder to always verify lottery results independently to avoid falling victim to such schemes.
