St. Louis Area Major Case Squad
News Release
April 6, 1999
3:00 PM
The Umesh Patel Family has offered a ($5,000.00), five thousand dollar reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the robbery and murder of Umesh Patel and John Procter.
Between 10:15 and 10:30 p.m. on Saturday April 3, 1999 a subject identified as a Black male, 5'8" - 5'9", 150 pounds, wearing a red ski mask, red short sleeve "T" shirt with writing on the front and baggy, light colored blue jeans, entered the Lotto Liquor Store where he stole several thousand dollars in lottery receipts and murdered Patel and John Procter.
Upon exiting the Lotto Liquor Store the suspect abducted a female customer on the outside of the store who was driving a blue & white 1986 GMC Safari Van. The suspect forced the abducted victim to drive him north on Route 3 to the 8th Street E. St. Louis exit where they then drove through E. St. Louis to Route 157, south on Hwy. 157 to the area of the Secretary of State Office where they entered the Loisel Village subdivision.
The suspect exited the victim's vehicle in the area of #8 Vieuxcarre Dr. Information has been received that the suspect may have a girlfriend in the Edgemont area.
The Major Case Squad is requesting that anyone who was in the area of the Lotto Liquor Store located at 3321 Mississippi Ave. Cahokia, IL between 10:00 p.m. & 10:30 p.m. on Saturday April 3, 1999 please contact us.
Anyone who may have information as to the identity of the suspect should contact the Major Case Squad at Phone # (618) 337-4065.
The Major Case Squad will maintain the confidentiality of person(s) providing information leading to the arrest of the suspect responsible for this murder investigation.
