Troup County, Georgia, America, 11 January 2012

Omprakash Patel, a 61-year-old Gujarati NRI store clerk wounded in an armed robbery before Christmas in America’s Troup County died Sunday at a Columbus hospital.

“He was speaking before surgery, but he took a turn for the worse after surgery,” said Anil Patel, owner of Ribitz store for the last three years.

Troup County Crime Stoppers has increased from $1,000 to $2,500 the reward for anyone who provides information leading to an arrest in the case. Troup County sheriff’s officials are still searching for two masked men who barged into the Ribitz Bait & Tackle after 7 p.m. Dec. 22 and shot Omprakash Patel in the abdomen. Store owners said the men made off with about $1,500.

Surveillance footage from the store has been of little help, and investigators have not been able to identify the suspects. Mann said the suspects are both black men of slender build and medium height. They were wearing dark clothing during the robbery.

“It all happened in under 30 seconds,” Mann said.

Patel’s nephew, Anil Patel, said the family also will be offering reward money for information in the case. The store owners have been busy finalizing funeral arrangements and have not yet determined the amount, he said.

The shop is located on West Point Road near Lower Glass Bridge Road, in the Long Cane area between LaGrange and West Point.

“It happened in a very good, quiet neighborhood. We never thought it would happen,” Anil Patel said. “It’s sad that he hit us even after getting the money.”

Anil Patel said the store owners have installed new surveillance cameras since the armed robbery and intend to add more. He said the family is trying to arrange a prayer service for this weekend.

“The community is so upset about this,” Anil Patel said, “and they want to gather and pray for him.”