The FBI has joined the search for a man charged with beating his wife to death with a kitchen knife at a Dunkin' Donuts in Maryland where they both worked. Bhadreshkumar Chetanbhai Patel, 24, faces a federal charge of fleeing to avoid prosecution and the FBI announced on Wednesday that a $20,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to his arrest. A federal criminal complaint said that Patel was last seen at a hotel near Newark International Airport shortly after his wife was killed on April 12. He reportedly has his India-issued passport with him. Patel is to believed to have beat his 21-year-old wife, Palak Bhadreskumar Patel, to death with a knife inside the fast-food chain. Bhadreshkumar Chetanbhai Patel, 24, is on the run after allegedly beating his wife to death with a kitchen knife on April 12 at a Dunkin' Donuts in Maryland where they both worked . The FBI announced that Patel (left) faces a federal charge of fleeing to avoid prosecution and is offering a $20,000 reward for information about Patel's whereabouts. The body his wife, Palak Bhadreskumar Patel, (right) was found on April 12 . Patrons called police April 12 shortly after discovering no workers at the Dunkin' Donuts on Arundel Mills Boulevard in Hanover. According to Anne Arundel County Police, an officer checked the business and found a severely injured woman in the kitchen area. The woman, Patel's wife, died at the scene. Anne Arundel County police said an officer responded around 10:51pm. 'The female employee of Dunkin Donuts was the victim of an apparent homicide,' the release said. 'This is not a random crime as the victim and suspect were known to each other,' authorities said in the news release. Authorities said that Patel had been charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, as well as dangerous weapon with intent to injure. Police said the investigation revealed that Patel's husband hit her in the face with a kitchen knife and then fled. A taxi driver told investigators that she picked up Patel on April 12 across from the Dunkin’ Donuts and drove him to a Best Western in Newark, New Jersey, approximately 185 miles away, according to WTOP. Patel was last seen on surveillance footage at a Best Western in Newark, New Jersey, near the Newark Liberty International Airport on April 13. Investigators believe he fled Maryland to New Jersey to escape state charges . Investigators believe he fled to New Jersey to escape state charges, but they believe he is still in the United States. They have no evidence that he boarded plane and the FBI put a hold on Patel’s passport, preventing him from crossing the border. Patel was born in India and was in the United States legally on a visa, but his visa expired at the end of March, according to the FBI. The FBI plans to put up billboards to help locate Patel, who is described as weighing approximately 165lb and 5ft 9in tall with brown eyes and hair. According to authorities, Patel is considered to be dangerous. Both Patel and his wife worked at the Dunkin' Donuts in Hanover, Maryland, where the wife's body was found . One of the store's frequent customers, Idrisa Wurie, told the Capital Gazette 'Oh my goodness. I am shocked because they are very nice people.' A police spokesperson told the Gazette police dealt with the couple in the past year regarding a domestic incident. In a statement, Dunkin' Donuts said 'We are aware of the tragic incident that occurred at the Dunkin' Donuts / Baskin-Robbins combination restaurant on Arundel Mills Boulevard in Hanover, Maryland. 'All of us at Dunkin' Brands are saddened to learn of the death of crew member Palak Bhadreskumar Patel, and our thoughts go out to her family and friends. 'The franchise owner is cooperating fully with the local authorities in their investigation. As this is a pending police matter, it is inappropriate for us to comment further.' Police have said tips can be called into to 410-222-474 and anonymously at 410-222-4700.
FBI is offering a $20,000 reward for information about Bhadreshkumar Chetanbhai Patel's whereabouts .
He allegedly killed his wife, Palak Bhadreskumar Patel, on April 12 in Hanover, Maryland .
Taxi driver told investigators she drove him to a hotel in Newark, New Jersey .
Patel was last seen in surveillance footage at a Best Western near Newark Liberty International Airport on April 13 .
Police believe that he is still in the U.S. and is considered to be dangerous .