Search for abducted store owner continues into the night - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

The search continues for a gas station owner police say was abducted early Sunday morning.

Investigators say 44-year-old Paresh Patel was taken from the Raceway Gas Station on Jeff Davis Highway, between Cogbill Road and Chippenham Parkway before 6:00 a.m., Sunday.

The Richmond Times Dispatch reports the FBI has joined the search for the gas station owner.

There are two possible suspects in this case. A witness tells police two men abducted Patel before he even had a chance to open the store.

Regular customers at the Chesterfield Raceway still can't believe Patel was targeted.  

"This is wild," said John McScween. "I just can't imagine."

Officers say Patel had just driven to work before 6:00 a.m., a witness tells police two men wearing dark clothes forced Patel into a dark van and drove off.

There were no security cameras outside to catch the crime, but investigators are looking over security footage taken from the inside. They also dusted for finger prints on Patel's gold Honda CR-V.  

John McScween gets his Sunday paper from Raceway every week. He's been filling up on gas here for years, and sees Patel on a regular basis.

"He's a super nice guy," McSween noted. "He and his wife both, I feel bad for him."

Police are asking people to keep an eye out of the 44-year-old, who's about 5'4", 135 pounds with dark eyes and brown hair.

Patel has worked at the raceway for several years, but police aren't saying if the suspects knew him or what the motive was.

"This is the craziest thing I've ever heard," McSween added.

No one with Raceway spoke with NBC12 on camera, but a company spokesperson wrote in an e-mail: "Raceway is fully cooperating with the authorities, as our primary concern at this time is the health and safety of Mr. Patel and the safety of those in the area. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family," said Communications Director, Dayna Reed.

"I just hope they find him and he's not hurt," McSween said.

Police are still investigating Patel's abduction. If you think you may have seen him, you can call Chesterfield Police at 748-1251, or Crime Solvers at 748-0660.

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