Tennessee gas station clerk charged, accused of stealing man's $1 million lottery ticket

A Tennessee gas station clerk is facing charges after being accused of stealing a $1 million lottery ticket from a customer and trying to collect the prize money.

The 23-year-old, who worked at a Shell gas station in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, was identified as Meer Patel. He was arrested and charged with theft over $250,000, a Class A felony, according to a news release from the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office obtained by USA TODAY. He is being housed at Rutherford County Adult Detention Center.

The customer, who was not identified, purchased two $20 scratch-off tickets from the store on Saturday, July 13, WTVF reported.

After scratching off the barcodes, the customer reportedly returned them to Patel to confirm if he had won. The outlet reported that the man won $40 for one ticket and $1 million for the other.

However, "during the transaction, the [customer] gave the tickets to Patel, who paid him for the lesser amount and allegedly placed the $1 million ticket in the trash," the sheriff's office said.

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Video revealed clerk's deception, customer was 'surprised' to learn he won $1 million

Detectives alleged that Patel went to the Tennessee Lottery to attempt to claim the prize, but the officials were suspicious. When lottery officials reviewed the store's security footage, it showed the clerk taking the ticket out of the trash and putting it in his pocket, according to the sheriff's office.

"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.

During the investigation, law enforcement used the store footage to track down the customer, locating him in less than 24 hours. The customer was "surprised" to learn about the winning ticket.

"The feel-good side of this story is the [customer] never knew he was the winner until we made contact with him,"   Detective Lt. Steve Craig said. "That is life-changing money. He was very thankful."

According to the sheriff's office, Patel is expected to appear in General Sessions Court on July 30 for a hearing.

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected].