CAROLINE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) – A former employee of the Days Inn Hotel in Carmel Church has been arrested for allegedly stealing more than $1,500 in cash from the hotel’s office safe.
On Tuesday, August 19, deputies from the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call from hotel management reporting a theft from an employee-restricted area of the property.
According to authorities, the suspect entered the office, accessed the safe, and took the money without authorization. Upon reviewing surveillance footage, investigators identified the suspect as 56-year-old Samir Arvind Patel, a former employee who was staying at the hotel at the time of the incident.
Deputies located and arrested Patel shortly after the theft. During the arrest, officials recovered over $700 in cash on his person. Patel reportedly admitted to spending another $600 for a planned trip to California, although he did not manage to leave the area before being taken into custody.
Patel is currently being held at the Pamunkey Regional Jail on a $2,000 secured bond.
His next court appearance is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 27, at the Caroline General District Court.
The investigation is ongoing.
