A store clerk at a Tennessee gas station is accused of stealing a $1 million scratch-off lottery ticket from a customer and then trying to collect the prize.
Meer Patel, 23, of Murfreesboro, was arrested and charged with theft of over $250,000, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Monday. The customer, an Antioch father, was informed of his winnings and has since collected the prize.
"The feel-good side of this story is the [man] never knew he was the winner until we made contact with him," Detective Lt. Steve Craig said. "That is absolutely life-changing money."
The man, who told authorities he did not want to be identified, purchased two tickets at a Shell gas station on July 13. Both tickets were winners: one for $1 million and the other for $40, the sheriff's office said.
After buying the tickets, the man handed them to Patel, who only paid him the $40. Patel allegedly tossed the $1 million ticket in the trash, authorities said.
Store video obtained by investigators from the Tennessee Lottery showed Patel allegedly taking the ticket out of the trash and placing it in his pocket after the man left, authorities said.
"Mr. Patel is then seen later in the video celebrating in the store after scratching off the front of the ticket and learning it was a $1 million winner," Detective Dennis Ward said.
He allegedly then tried to claim the $1 million prize with the Tennessee Lottery but employees became suspicious when he said he found the ticket in the garbage.
Craig said the video from the store helped authorities find the lucky man, who was surprised he had won.
"He was very thankful," Craig said.
Patel is being held on $100,000 bond at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center and is due in court on Tuesday. It's not clear if he has obtained an attorney who can speak on his behalf.
