Police Search For Robber Who Shot And Killed Sandwich Shop Owner

From Gigi Graciette:

His name was Pravin Patel and on Tuesday June the 2nd he was robbed.

Of his money and his life.

"He would have given him a free sandwich", said Patel's brother Satish. "He would help anyone. All the guy had to do was ask."

The guy Satish Patel is referring to is the armed robber who walked into the Quiznos on Arrow Highway in San Dimas, pointed a semi-automatic handgun at his brother, and demanded all his money.

It was 3:20 in the afternoon.

The robber, described only as a White or Hispanic man in his late 20's wearing plaid shorts, then left but Patel decided to follow him.

It would prove to be a fatal decision because right there in front of the sandwich shop Patel's family says was his 'American Dream' the robber shot him.

"I don't know why he followed him out", said Satish. "Maybe he thought it was a toy gun."

Sadly it was a real gun with real bullets.

The 62 year old grandfather was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition where he later died.

His family left, understandably, devastated.

And clients, who all morning stopped by the strip mall to leave flowers and notes of condolence, were also left saddened.

The man they knew simply as 'Peter' was a friend to all, customer Bill Pico told us.

"It's tragic. Just tragic", he said.

*If you have any information that could help detectives track down the man who murdered Pravin Patel, please call the LA County Sheriff's Department at (323) 890-5500

RELATED: Man Shot To Death In Front Of Pomona Home
RELATED: Woman Fatally Shot In Parking Lot Of Torrance Bowling Alley

Deputies were called about 3:20 p.m. Tuesday to 1034 W. Arrow Highway, where they found the restaurant proprietor suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso, according to the sheriff's department. Pravin Patel of San Dimas later died at a hospital, said coroner's Assistant Chief Ed Winter.

The suspect had approached the cashier's counter brandishing a semi-automatic handgun and demanding money, according to the sheriff's department.

The owner gave him a bag containing an undisclosed amount of cash, but then followed the robber outside, where a brief struggle ensued, the sheriff's department reported.

Patel died around 10:40 p.m. Tuesday at a hospital. The robber was a man in his late 20s, white or Hispanic, about six feet tall and 175 pounds. He was wearing a black cap, black shirt and dark short pants with a plaid pattern.

San Dimas is generally a low-crime area. Anyone with information on the robbery and slaying was urged to call the sheriff's homicide bureau at (323) 890-5500 or, to provide information anonymously, Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.