Police are looking into reports that two people walked out of an upmarket seafood restaurants without paying a reported £115 bill.
A man and a woman visited the El Puerto restaurant in Penarth, Wales, on Monday evening, with CCTV footage showing them park up and enjoy food and drinks, before leaving without appearing to pay the bill.
The duo reportedly ordered an all day set menu for £32, including a Dover sole meal for £52.10, calamari for £9.50 and eight Coca-Colas for £22. The bill’s total came to £115.60, according to BBC Wales who managed to get hold of the outstanding bill.
As of Sunday, the bill has remained unpaid.
El Puerto called on the couple to pay their bill in a post on social media after the incident, saying: “A polite request to two customers who visited The Custom House today…We’d kindly ask you to return and settle your outstanding bill.
“We’d much rather resolve this directly and appreciate you getting in touch with us as soon as possible.
“We have your vehicle registration on record. Please return or contact the team to arrange payment.”
South Wales Police confirmed they had received a report of theft from The Custom House and called on anyone with information to get in touch, quoting 2600206060.
Tanny Martinez, owner of the restaurant, told local media that the incident had been “hugely disappointing” for the entire team.
“The hospitality industry is already facing an incredibly challenging economic climate, with rising costs and pressures across the sector, without having to deal with situations like this,” he said.
“It’s incredibly frustrating when the hard work and dedication that goes into creating great experiences for our customers is not respected.”
Martinez added the impact of dine-and-dash crimes “goes beyond the financial loss”.
“Situations like this can also have a real effect on the team’s morale and wellbeing, especially when so much care and effort goes into every service.”
