Tennessee gas station clerk Meet Patel is in hot water for allegedly swiping a customer’s $1 million lottery ticket, tossing it in the trash, and then trying to cash in on the winnings himself.

Patel, who celebrated prematurely after discovering the million-dollar prize, was caught on surveillance video allegedly stashing the winning ticket in the trash, only to retrieve and claim it later at the Tennessee Lottery commission. The ruse unraveled when red flags during Patel's claim attempt sparked an investigation, leading to his arrest and a $100,000 bond. Meanwhile, the ticket’s rightful owner, an unsuspecting father from Antioch, is now set to enjoy his life-changing winnings.

The saga began when the unlucky customer, whose name has not been disclosed, stopped by Patel’s convenience store to try his luck with two $20 Diamond and Gold scratch-off tickets. While one ticket turned out to be a modest winner, the other revealed a $1 million prize that would have anyone jumping for joy – or so you’d think.

In a move straight out of an amateur detective novel without the happy ending, Patel allegedly decided to check and cash out the lesser winning ticket for the customer. The $1 million ticket, on the other hand, was swiftly discarded in the trash, a detail caught on the store's surveillance cameras. Patel evidently thought his plan was foolproof, but the footage had other ideas.

After retrieving the winning ticket from the garbage, Patel decided to lay low – just kidding. He allegedly went on to claim the prize at the Tennessee Lottery commission, a decision that triggered a cascade of red flags. The commission’s eagle-eyed officials noticed something was amiss and immediately began an investigation, leading to a plot twist Patel surely wished he could rewrite.

Lieutenant Detective Steve Craig spearheaded the investigation, connecting the dots between the surveillance footage and Patel's ill-fated celebration dance in the store. 'He practically threw himself a parade,' an anonymous source close to the investigation quipped, adding a dash of irony to the clerk's downfall.

Meanwhile, the rightful winner, a father from Antioch, had no idea his fortunes had taken such a dramatic turn. It wasn't until authorities reached out to him that he learned he was now a millionaire – thanks to a ticket he had almost left behind. It’s not every day you get a call telling you a lottery ticket you thought was a dud is actually worth a life-changing sum.

The Tennessee Lottery commission has confirmed that the lucky dad will receive his $1 million in winnings, a prize described as potentially life-changing. As for Patel, he’s found a new lodging arrangement at the Rutherford County Jail, where he's being held on a $100,000 bond.

Patel's arrest and court appearance scheduled for this Tuesday have added yet another chapter to this saga. With the evidence as plain as day and a confession as elaborate as his alleged celebration, it seems Patel may need luck on his side more than ever.

Despite the serious allegations, one can't help but imagine the winner's utter bewilderment and delight upon learning they hadn't just won a minor prize. For this father from Antioch, it was a rollercoaster ride from disappointment to sheer jubilation, all thanks to the investigation that uncovered the truth.