Columbia man charged with tampering with evidence

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man was charged Tuesday with tampering with evidence in relation to an investigation involving the sale of alcohol to a minor.

A warrant was issued Jan. 10 for Jay Patel, 35, to provide video from Dash Convenience and Liquor Store on Ninth Street in Columbia. Patel claimed the video system did not record, according to a probable cause statement.

The video system was confiscated by law enforcement and. The Missouri State Highway Patrol Corporal Bax connected a different mouse and learned the system was functional. It was determined a "dummy mouse" and unrelated remote were attached to the system to prevent viewing the footage.

Patel was charged earlier this year with selling alcohol to a minor. A motion for discovery for that case was filed for that case Sept. 18.

Mike O'Connell, communications director Missouri Department of Public Safety, told ABC17 that Dash Convenience and Liquor Store had its alcohol license revoked and the business closed.

A new business with new ownership -- Big Papa's On Campus Liquor & Convenience -- opened in the location Dash used to exist.