Tennessee Store Clerk Stole $1 Million Lottery Ticket

Imagine scratching off a lottery ticket, hoping for a win, and then walking away with nothing—unaware you were just shy of a million-dollar jackpot. This almost became a reality for one lucky but unsuspecting customer at a Murfreesboro Shell station.

A Nearly Million-Dollar Lottery Heist Unraveled in Murfreesboro Tennessee

In a twist fit for a crime thriller, a $20 scratch-off ticket worth a million dollars nearly slipped through the rightful winner's fingers, thanks to the deceit of a store clerk. The incident unfolded when a customer purchased two twenty-dollar Diamond and Gold lottery tickets from 23-year-old clerk Meet Patel.

Scratching The Bar Codes

As some lottery enthusiasts do to save time, the customer scratched only the front bar code on the tickets and asked Patel to check them. According to Lt. Detective Steve Craig, this method reveals if the ticket is a winner without disclosing the amount won.

Both tickets were winners, but Patel deceitfully handed back only the $40 winner, claiming the other was a loss. In reality, it was the golden ticket—worth one million dollars. Surveillance footage captured Patel tossing the winning ticket into the trash, only to retrieve it once the customer left.

Claiming The Prize For Himself

Patel then attempted to claim the million-dollar prize himself at the lottery commission. However, he was unaware that big winners are subject to thorough vetting, including security video reviews. The incriminating footage clearly showed Patel's theft.

"It's pretty obvious. Good enough to put in front of 12 jurors and they'll reach the same conclusion," said Detective Craig. Patel was arrested and charged with a Class A felony for theft of a million-dollar ticket, landing him in the Rutherford County Jail.

What Happened To The Real Winner?

As for the rightful winner, detectives have tracked him down. He prefers to remain anonymous but will finally receive his well-deserved one-million-dollar jackpot.