Pravin Raojibhai 'Peter' Patel, a 62-year-old East Indian man, tragically lost his life on June 2, 2015, in San Dimas, California. Patel was the owner of a Quiznos restaurant located on West Arrow Highway. On that fateful day, he was confronted by an armed robber who entered his establishment around 3:20 p.m. The assailant, described as a tall, skinny white or Latino man in his mid-20s, demanded money while brandishing a handgun. Patel complied, handing over the cash from the register.
However, as the suspect fled, Patel followed him outside, leading to a physical altercation in the parking lot. During the struggle, the suspect shot Patel once in the abdomen before fleeing on foot. Patel was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries later that evening.
The incident sparked a significant outpouring of grief and support from the local community. Nearly 300 people attended a candlelight vigil to honor Patel, remembering him as a kind and generous man who always remembered his customers' names and asked about their families. His family, including his wife Maya and their adult children Nilesh and Sheena, were joined by extended relatives from as far away as England and India. The Los Angeles Board of Supervisors offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer, and reward posters with a composite sketch of the suspect were widely distributed.
Despite the community's efforts and the reward, the suspect remained at large. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department continued to investigate the case, urging anyone with information to come forward. The suspect was described as wearing a baseball hat, black T-shirt, and plaid shorts at the time of the crime. The tragic loss of Patel, who was remembered as a hardworking and friendly man, left a lasting impact on the San Dimas community. His family and friends continued to seek justice, hoping that the reward and public awareness would eventually lead to the apprehension of the perpetrator.
