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Man sought in wife's death at Hanover Dunkin' Donuts

Police searching for Bhadreshkumar Chetanbhai Patel

Anne Arundel County police are searching for a man in connection with a homicide at the Dunkin Donuts on Arundel Mills Boulevard in Hanover overnight.
Anne Arundel County police are searching for a man in connection with a homicide at the Dunkin Donuts on Arundel Mills Boulevard in Hanover overnight.
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Man sought in wife's death at Hanover Dunkin' Donuts
Police searching for Bhadreshkumar Chetanbhai Patel
Anne Arundel County police are searching for a man in connection with a homicide at the Dunkin Donuts on Arundel Mills Boulevard in Hanover late Sunday night.Mobile users tap here to watch videoPolice said it was around 10:50 p.m. Sunday when a customer walked into Dunkin Donuts in the 7000 block of Arundel Mills Boulevard and noticed there was no one working there.They called investigators who checked out the property and made a gruesome discovery -- a woman was found lying in the kitchen area. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Police identified her as Palak Bhadreshkumar Patel, 21, of Hanover.Investigators said they believe the victim's husband and co-worker at the store, Bhadreshkumar Chetanbhai Patel, 24, of Hanover, struck her multiple times with an object before fleeing the store."We're still looking for this individual. It's important we find him and get him off the street," Anne Arundel County police spokesman Justin Mulcahy said.A warrant has been issued for Bhadreshkumar Chetanbhai Patel's arrest on charges of first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault and a weapons charge."We're not ruling out the fact that he may still be local. He could be on foot. We do not have any vehicle information, no indication of a vehicle," Mulcahy said.The FBI and immigration officials joined the investigation Wednesday.Police said the Patels lived in a nearby apartment community, close enough to walk to work. Neighbors there were shocked by the crime."That was very unfortunate. Any time anyone takes matters into their own hands and injures anyone in any way that's really unfortunate, so I'm praying for the family of the deceased and us as a community and people everywhere," neighbor Donna Bless said.Throughout the day Monday, employees, as well as the store's owner, could be seen walking in and out. The store remained closed all day.Police said evidence collected at the scene linked the crime to Patel's husband and that the crime was not random. Police said they are interviewing several witnesses and they believe that the homicide was domestic-related.Police said there is evidence the couple may have had some domestic problems in the past. While there are no documented domestic violence cases involving the couple, police said they responded to one call to their home in December."Apparently somebody, a neighbor, had heard some loud noises or banging, report of a possible domestic incident," Mulcahy said.Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Anne Arundel County police homicide Detective Kelly Harding at 410-222-4743, or call the tip line at 410-222-4700.Dunkin' Donuts released a statement, saying: "We are aware of the tragic incident that occurred at the Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin-Robbins combination restaurant on Arundel Mills Boulevard in Hanover, Maryland. All of us at Dunkin' Brands are saddened to learn of the death of crew member Palak Bhadreskumar Patel, and our thoughts go out to her family and friends. The franchise owner is cooperating fully with the local authorities in their investigation. As this is a pending police matter, it is inappropriate for us to comment further."Refresh wbaltv.com and our app, and watch 11 News for late-breaking updates.

Anne Arundel County police are searching for a man in connection with a homicide at the Dunkin Donuts on Arundel Mills Boulevard in Hanover late Sunday night.

Mobile users tap here to watch video

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Police said it was around 10:50 p.m. Sunday when a customer walked into Dunkin Donuts in the 7000 block of Arundel Mills Boulevard and noticed there was no one working there.

They called investigators who checked out the property and made a gruesome discovery -- a woman was found lying in the kitchen area. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Police identified her as Palak Bhadreshkumar Patel, 21, of Hanover.

Investigators said they believe the victim's husband and co-worker at the store, Bhadreshkumar Chetanbhai Patel, 24, of Hanover, struck her multiple times with an object before fleeing the store.

"We're still looking for this individual. It's important we find him and get him off the street," Anne Arundel County police spokesman Justin Mulcahy said.

A warrant has been issued for Bhadreshkumar Chetanbhai Patel's arrest on charges of first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault and a weapons charge.

"We're not ruling out the fact that he may still be local. He could be on foot. We do not have any vehicle information, no indication of a vehicle," Mulcahy said.

The FBI and immigration officials joined the investigation Wednesday.

Police said the Patels lived in a nearby apartment community, close enough to walk to work. Neighbors there were shocked by the crime.

"That was very unfortunate. Any time anyone takes matters into their own hands and injures anyone in any way that's really unfortunate, so I'm praying for the family of the deceased and us as a community and people everywhere," neighbor Donna Bless said.

Throughout the day Monday, employees, as well as the store's owner, could be seen walking in and out. The store remained closed all day.

Police said evidence collected at the scene linked the crime to Patel's husband and that the crime was not random. Police said they are interviewing several witnesses and they believe that the homicide was domestic-related.

Police said there is evidence the couple may have had some domestic problems in the past. While there are no documented domestic violence cases involving the couple, police said they responded to one call to their home in December.

"Apparently somebody, a neighbor, had heard some loud noises or banging, report of a possible domestic incident," Mulcahy said.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Anne Arundel County police homicide Detective Kelly Harding at 410-222-4743, or call the tip line at 410-222-4700.

Dunkin' Donuts released a statement, saying: "We are aware of the tragic incident that occurred at the Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin-Robbins combination restaurant on Arundel Mills Boulevard in Hanover, Maryland. All of us at Dunkin' Brands are saddened to learn of the death of crew member Palak Bhadreskumar Patel, and our thoughts go out to her family and friends. The franchise owner is cooperating fully with the local authorities in their investigation. As this is a pending police matter, it is inappropriate for us to comment further."

Refresh wbaltv.com and our app, and watch 11 News for late-breaking updates.