Photo of Suspected Lotto Thief Released

Austin, TX - U.S. Marshall's released a picture of the convenience store clerk accused of stealing a winning lotto ticket from a customer earlier this year.

Authorities believe 25-year-old Panaj Joshi left the United States for Nepal, his home country, after cashing the ticket.

Lotto Commission investigators say the suspect lied to 67-year-old WIllis Willis in May when he brought his tickets to Joshi's Grand Prairie Convenience store to be checked.

Then, in June, officials say Joshi took the ticket to the Texas Lottery Commission in Austin and cashed it, pocketing more than $700,000 after taxes.

Several of the suspect's co-workers became suspicious and contacted lottery officials when he told them he won.

Authorities investigated and learned Willis was the actual owner of the winning ticket.

A Travis County grand jury indicted Joshi for claiming the prize by fraud. He is considered a fugitive from justice.