An Indian-origin man, Meer Patel, has been arrested in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, for allegedly stealing a $1 million-winning lottery ticket from a customer at the gas station where he worked. Patel, 23, was charged with theft on Monday after the incident, which unfolded when a customer asked him to check the ticket for winnings. Patel reportedly scanned the ticket, falsely claiming it had won a lesser amount and then disposed of it.
After the customer left, Patel retrieved the ticket from the trash, scratched off the hidden portion, and discovered it was worth $1 million. He took the ticket to the lottery office, where staff grew suspicious of his behavior. Surveillance footage from the gas station captured Patel retrieving the ticket from the trash and celebrating after realizing its value.
State lottery investigators reviewed the footage and reported the theft to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office. Patel was subsequently arrested, and the lottery ticket was seized. Authorities tracked down the original ticket buyer and informed him of his substantial windfall, describing the discovery as “life-changing money.”
Detectives highlighted the positive aspect of the situation, noting that the ticket holder was unaware of his win until contacted by officials. The case underscores the significant impact such windfalls can have on individuals’ lives.
