Store clerk stole $1M lottery ticket from customer, tried to collect winnings: sheriff

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A store clerk at a Tennessee gas station was arrested after he allegedly stole a customer’s $1 million scratch-off lottery ticket and tried to collect the prize.

The winner, an Antioch father who didn’t want to be identified, purchased two winning tickets at a Shell gas station on July 13 — one for $1 million and the other for $40.

The man gave the lottery tickets to Meer Patel, 23, of Murfreesboro, who paid him for the $40 ticket, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office said.

Patel then allegedly threw the $1 million ticket in the trash.

Store video obtained by investigators from the Tennessee Lottery showed the store clerk allegedly taking out the trash where he removed the winning ticket before placing it in his pocket.

“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.

Patel tried to claim the $1 million prize from the Tennessee Lottery, but employees were suspicious, according to detectives.

Craig said the video from the gas station helped identify the lucky father who told authorities he was surprised he won.

“He was very thankful,” Craig said.

Patel was charged with theft over $250,000 and is being held on a $100,000 bond at Rutherford County Adult Detention Center. A hearing is set for Tuesday.

“The feel good side of this story is the [the father] never knew he was the winner until we made contact with him,” Detective Lt. Steve Craig said in a statement. “That is absolutely life-changing money.”

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