A UK restaurant has blasted a group of customers after they allegedly attempted to complete a dine and dash.
Last week, La Bella Vista in Hastings, East Sussex, accused diners of skipping out on a £425.38 ($541) bill.
It’s claimed that four women and eight children had enjoyed munching on Italian cuisine but when it came to paying the cheque, they were nowhere to be seen.
According to The Mirror, three of the four women successfully escaped the scene of the crime.
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However, staff reportedly managed to detain one of the presumed mothers and promptly called law enforcement to the premises.
It’s claimed that after Sussex police arrived, the unnamed woman was ‘frogmarched to the cash machine’ and handed La Bella Vista money to cover the meal.
Unfortunately, this was just £60 as reportedly it was ‘all she had’ in the bank at the time.
Sussex Police have since said that an investigation into the ordeal is taking place.
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The news of the attempted dine-and-dash first broke on Sunday (January 7), with a representative of the restaurant taking to social media to share the details.
They began by penning: “Warning to all small business owners!
"This despicable group brazenly walked into La Bella Vista this afternoon with their 8 children, ordered over £400 worth of food and drink and then refused to pay!"
They added in the Facebook update: “The police managed to recover £60 for us, a mere drop in the ocean!
“This is the 3rd time we have been hit by groups like these in the last couple of months, so please be aware!”
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Customers and supporters of the eatery took to the Facebook post to have their say.
One social media one user wrote: “I wouldn't do anything without money up front. And you will generally find that those who do like this are the ones you don't want.”
“This is absolutely awful! Specially to such lovely family restaurant,” typed another.
A third commented: “So sad about this. We went in December to your fabulous restaurant and have a great time, great service, and great food.”
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In a further update, staff from La Bella Vista took to social media again on Thursday (January 11) to express ‘gratitude’ for the support they have received.
They began by writing: “In the midst of the whirlwind this week, we wanted to take a moment to express our genuine gratitude for the incredible support you've all shown us at La Bella Vista.
“A special thanks to the media for amplifying and supporting our story, it has truly made a difference to raising awareness of these types of scams.”
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The Hastings-based business also praised the Sussex Police Department for their swift initial visit and for continuing to follow up on the case.
“We look forward to a fantastic year, providing more delightful experiences and meals together,” they added.
Following the report, a spokesperson for Sussex Police has issued a fresh update.
They said: “We can confirm we are investigating a report of a group of people making off without payment from a restaurant in St Leonards.
“The group are alleged to have left La Bella Vista in Grand Parade around 5pm on Sunday 7 January without paying for their meal.”
They added that a member of staff at the Italian outlet had ‘reported being assaulted’ and that enquiries are 'ongoing’.
“Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to report it online or call 101, quoting serial 748 of 07/01,” Sussex Police added.
UNILAD has contacted Sussex Police for further comment.
Topics: Food and Drink, Crime, Police, Money