HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After a number of continuances, a local convenience store owner charged with a number of crimes is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Thursday.
Chris Patel is charged with possession of synthetic marijuana with intent to sell within a thousand feet of Hutchinson Middle School 7. This allegedly occurring on May 22. He’s also charged with possession of stolen property. That crime, according to the complaint, occurred between April 6 and May 12, 2015.
Patel was arrested after officers with the Hutchinson Police Department served search warrants with the cooperation of Kroger Corporation.
The investigation revealed that Patel, who owned the Zip Trip at Ave A & Poplar, was purchasing what he believed to be stolen goods from a member of Kroger’s organized retail crime unit. The stolen goods were then allegedly placed on the store’s shelves for retail sale.
During the execution of the search warrants, 162 grams of K-2, 14 grams of marijuana and some of the goods Patel purchased were recovered.
The hearing is scheduled in front of Judge Joe McCarville, however as always, all hearings scheduled are subject to change.