Dharmesh Patel: Cops visited California doc’s house NINE TIMES before alleged murder-suicide attempt
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA: Cops visited the home of a Californian doctor, Dharmesh Patel nine times before the horrifying incident of the doctor allegedly driving his Tesla car off a cliff intentionally on Monday, January 2. He is charged with the attempted murder of his wife and their two young children who were in the car. The 41-year-old doctor currently remains hospitalized while his family miraculously survived.
Since 2017, the police have been to Patel's Pasadena home in response to reports of suspicious people in their area and alerts of burglary. The alarming calls from the family were reported as either false alerts or canceled by the officials where two incidents of reporting suspicious persons were called as "gone on arrival," according to the Daily Mail.
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Days before the incident, the doorbell camera of his neighbor filmed him delivering a Christmas gift to a neighbor. Referred to as an 'idyllic' family, their neighborhood still finds it difficult to comprehend the reasons that led to the alleged attempted murder. The authorities stated on January 3, that it was not an accident but an alleged failed murder-suicide attempt. “They’re a beautiful, idyllic family, no indication of issues,” told Roger Newmark, a longtime Lomay Place resident who said that “It’s so strange because he is a great guy. Maybe it was a moment of insanity.” He also stated that about five years ago, Patel, his wife Neha, 41, and their children, a 7-year-old girl, and a 4-year-old boy moved to the neighborhood, reports the LA Times.
Patel, who was reportedly a joyous father, often appeared playing with children in the community. On Christmas Eve, before leaving for Northern California for the long holidays, the radiologist at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Los Angeles, was seen gifting a poinsettia plant at the home of his neighbor, as shown in the ring video posted by the news outlet.
The doctor happily introduced himself to a relative who took care of the home in the absence of the homeowners, saying, "I'm Dharmesh" and told her that he lived next door. The white Tesla car could be spotted in the clip. He asked her, “Can I just leave it [the poinsettia] at the front door?.”
According to LA Times, Newmark recalled that the radiologist used to send out Christmas cards that featured pictures of his cheerful family. The home which had a decorated tree outside has a front door mat that reads, “Love fall most of all.”
Patel was arrested following the harrowing incident as the California Highway Patrol “developed probable cause to believe this incident was an intentional act.” His motive behind the alleged murder has not been revealed. The Daily Mail reports that after the doctor is released from the Stanford hospital where his family also remains, he will be taken to the San Mateo County jail on suspicion of child abuse and attempted murder.
“Deeply saddened to learn of a traffic incident involving one of our physicians and his family. We are extremely grateful there were no serious injuries. We will not respond further, as this incident is under investigation,” read a statement by the Providence Holy Cross Medical Center.