Twitter

FBI, Police Renew Search for Man Accused of Killing Wife in Dunkin' Donuts

The FBI has unveiled a "wanted" billboard in Times Square in hopes it will lead them to a Maryland man accused of killing his wife inside a Dunkin' Donuts.

The FBI announced Friday that the U.S. Attorney's office has issued a federal warrant for Bhadreshkumar Chetanbhai Patel for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Patel is charged in the April 12 murder of his wife, 21-year-old Palak Patel, in a back room of the doughnut shop in Hanover, Maryland.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to his arrest. Authorities also unveiled a "wanted" billboard in Times Square to help solicit tips, NBC News reports.  Investigators believe Patel may be in the New York metro area.

Seven months ago, Palak Patel was found dead after would-be Dunkin' Donuts customers walked up to an Anne Arundel County police officer and reported that no one was inside the business on Arundel Mills Boulevard. 

The officer went inside the store and found Palak Patel, of Hanover, lying in the kitchen area. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators say Bhadreshkumar Patel struck his wife multiple times with an object before leaving the area. Patel is wanted for first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault and dangerous weapon with intent to injure.

The FBI says Patel was last seen at a hotel in Newark, New Jersey, on April 13, the day after the killing. Relatives and friends in the New Jersey area may be helping him, the FBI said. 

There's no indication that Patel, who was born in India, left the country legally. He had been in the United States legally, but his visa expired the month before the killing.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us