Sheriff’s detectives are expected to release a sketch of the man who killed Quiznos restaurant owner Pravin Patel. Michelle Valles reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10, 2015.
A $20,000 reward was announced Wednesday for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the robber who killed a grandfather outside his sandwich shop last week.
Homicide detectives with the San Dimas Sheriff's Station made the announcement regarding the June 2 murder of 62-year-old Pravin Patel. They also released a composite sketch of the suspect, asking the public for help to identify him.
Patel's dream of retiring to spend more time with his grandchildren was cut short when a man fatally shot him outside the Quiznos shop he owned in San Dimas on the 1000 block of West Arrow Highway.
At about 2:30 p.m. a man walked into the store and demanded money from the owner. Patel complied before he followed the robber outside the store to confront him. During a brief struggle with the assailant, Patel was shot and left to bleed out onto the pavement. He was airlifted to a hospital where he later died.
Patel was the proud father of two grown children, who each gave him a grandchild.
"He wanted to retire and play with his grandkids," his brother, Satish Patel, told NBC4 during an earlier interview. "That was his dream."
In the days following Patel's death, his store was covered in flowers and notes left behind by people who remembered the shop owner as a kindhearted man who always remembered his customers by name.
A candlelight vigil was planned for Friday, June 12 at 7 p.m. in front of the store.
Officials said the robber was described as Hispanic or Caucasian, mid 20s, 6 feet tall, and about 180 pounds. He was wearing a baseball hat, black T-shirt with plaid shorts at the time of the attack.
Anyone with information is asked to call 323-890-5500.
