Sunday marked 11 years since Palak Patel was found dead inside a Dunkin’ Donuts near Arundel Mills, and the man authorities accuse of killing her is still nowhere to be found. This spring, the FBI raised the reward for information in the case, and investigators say they are still chasing down tips they hope will finally lead to an arrest. Both Patel’s family and law enforcement say they have no intention of letting the case fade from view.
FBI increases reward to $1 million
On March 10, the FBI announced it had boosted the reward for information leading to the arrest of Bhadreshkumar Chetanbhai Patel to up to $1 million, noting that the higher figure reflects the standard payout for fugitives on the bureau’s Ten Most Wanted list, according to FBI Baltimore. “We hope this $1 million reward attracts greater attention to our tireless search for Bhadreshkumar Patel,” FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul said. The bureau cautions that Patel should be considered armed and extremely dangerous.
How investigators say the killing unfolded
Investigators say Patel and his wife, Palak, were working the overnight shift at the Dunkin’ near Arundel Mills on April 12, 2015, when an argument escalated. Surveillance footage shows the couple walking into a back room where the attack took place, according to The Washington Post. Authorities say Patel then left the store, went back to the couple’s nearby apartment to grab cash and a few belongings, and took a taxi to a hotel near Newark Liberty International Airport. He checked out the next morning and was last seen boarding a shuttle to Newark Penn Station, per CBS Baltimore. Investigators have said the store’s interior surveillance and follow-up interviews generated leads that they continue to pursue.
Investigation still active after more than a decade
Police and federal agents say they have chased down hundreds of leads over the years and continue to revisit the case whenever new information comes in. The county held a public remembrance and case update last year to keep Patel’s killing in the public eye and to support ongoing investigative work, according to the Anne Arundel County website. Local officials say those events are meant both to honor Palak and to remind the community that detectives are still re-examining old leads.
Last confirmed sighting and how to report tips
Federal authorities say Patel’s last confirmed sighting was at Newark Penn Station after he checked out of the hotel near Newark Liberty International Airport. The FBI urges anyone with information not to approach him, but instead to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit tips at tips.fbi.gov, according to FBI Baltimore. Tipsters can remain anonymous, and people outside the United States are asked to contact the nearest American embassy or consulate. The FBI says the reward applies to information that leads directly to Patel’s arrest.
Charges and legal status
Anne Arundel County detectives obtained a local arrest warrant in April 2015 charging Patel with first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, and use of a dangerous weapon with intent to injure. A federal arrest warrant was later issued for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, according to archived reporting by WBAL. All of those charges remain outstanding while Patel is still at large.
Family remembers Palak
Friends and investigators describe Palak Patel as an aspiring teacher whose relatives have never stopped pressing for answers. Officials say keeping her story in the news is a crucial part of the effort to track down the suspect, according to CBS Baltimore. Anyone with information about Patel’s whereabouts is urged to contact the FBI tip line immediately.
