CCTV footage from a London restaurant has captured the astonishing moment a brazen dine-and-dasher, caught red-handed, retaliated by hurling a piece of steak at the establishment's owner.
The incident unfolded at the Rotana Restaurant in Syon Park, West London, after a group of five enjoyed a meal amounting to a £130 bill. As the owner, Walid Chaya, confronted the group outside for attempting to leave without settling their tab, the situation escalated dramatically.
A brazen act caught on camera
In the video, Mr. Chaya can be seen calmly blocking the path of one member of the group, a man in a grey hoodie, demanding payment. Instead of complying, the individual becomes aggressively defensive. After a brief exchange, the man in the hoodie is seen snatching a leftover piece of steak from a takeaway container held by a woman in his group.
In a shocking and petty act, he then launches the piece of meat directly at Mr. Chaya, striking him in the chest before quickly walking away as the owner recoils in disbelief.
'This is becoming a regular occurrence'
Speaking about the infuriating incident, Mr. Chaya revealed that such acts of dishonesty are sadly not isolated. He expressed his frustration, stating that this kind of behaviour is damaging to small businesses already struggling in a challenging economic climate.
The owner's composure in the face of such blatant disrespect and criminal behaviour has been noted by viewers of the footage, who have praised his restraint. The Metropolitan Police have been informed of the incident and are investigating this act of theft and assault.
