APD requests assistance in finding suspect in Albany woman’s death
Albany Police called a news conference Monday to ask for help in finding the person who killed Dharmisthaben Patel
By Gypsy Crow
ALBANY — After the shooting of Dharmisthaben Patel in Albany Saturday, the Albany Police Department is requesting assistance from the community in helping curtail the rise of violent crime that occurs around the holiday season. At this time, investigators have only surveillance footage that captured the attempted carjacking/burglary outside of Devi’s Convenience Store as a lead into the investigation.
Patel, a mother of two, was leaving Devi’s Convenience Store with her husband, Bharat Ishvar Patel, when the suspect approached their vehicle. When Bharat Ishvar Patel drove away, the suspect fired into the vehicle, injuring Dharmisthaben Patel. She died while receiving treatment for the gunshot wound.
According to APD Detective Roger Jones, who spoke at a news conference Monday, the Patels did the best they could in that situation. The convenience store was well-lit and their surveillance footage provided a clear image of the shooting. But now the community is needed to find the person responsible for Dharmisthaben Patel’s death. Officers are canvassing the area for more surveillance and possible witnesses, but there are no new developments nor additional leads.
“Unfortunately, at this time of the year around the holidays, we know that our persons crimes and violent crimes tend to spike,” Jones said. “We are anticipating a rise; however, we are also combating it by adding additional patrol on the streets.”
A way for convenience stores and other businesses to help prevent violent crimes outside of their locations is to remove signs that could prevent persons inside the stores from seeing suspicious persons outside, to have adequate lighting, install surveillance cameras and to report suspicious persons to the police or request for officers to standby while closing the stores and leaving the location.
Members of the community with information about the suspect can anonymously reach out to APD’s tip line, Crime Stoppers, at (229) 436-TIPS.
Officers requested that the public remain vigilant and be a “partner in the neighborhood.”
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