FBI increases reward to help find suspects in homicide outside Columbus bank
The FBI has increased its reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two suspects wanted for the slaying of a convenience store owner outside a Synovus Bank branch in Columbus.
Initially $15,000, the reward is now $20,000.
On Dec. 6, 2021, Amit Patel visited the bank at 4505 Buena Vista Road to deposit money from his business. As he approached the front door of the bank, two suspects drove into the parking lot in a stolen Toyota Tacoma with no license plates, according to the FBI.
“One suspect got out of the vehicle and shot Mr. Patel,” the FBI said in a news release. “Mr. Patel died at the scene as the robber took all his money. Both suspects fled in the stolen Tacoma.”
The FBI asks anyone with information about the case to contact the agency at 1-800-Call-FBI or tips.fbi.gov. Tips also can be reported to the Columbus Police Department at 706-225-3205.
This story was originally published November 17, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
