Police are hunting a serial dine-and-dash couple whose audacious four-day spree has left a trail of furious restaurateurs and unpaid bills across the UK. The brazen pair enjoyed lavish meals before vanishing into the night, leaving establishments hundreds of pounds out of pocket.
Their scam began at the popular Bella Italia in Worcester on a Saturday evening. The couple, described as being in their late 20s or early 30s, enjoyed a full meal before allegedly concocting a story about a diabetic emergency to make their escape without settling the £80 bill.
Just three days later, they struck again—this time at the city's Thai restaurant, Zaap Thai. After consuming a feast, the woman reportedly pretended to feel unwell. In the commotion, the pair fled, leaving another £80 unpaid.
But their spree didn't end there. The very next day, they targeted the family-run Indian restaurant, My Delhi, in Bromsgrove. In their most elaborate ruse yet, the man allegedly faked a phone call from a hospital about a sick relative. Capitalising on the staff's sympathy, they absconded without paying a staggering £140 bill.
The entire audacious scam was captured on the restaurants' CCTV systems, providing police with clear images of the suspects. Descriptions indicate the man has a distinctive tattoo on his left forearm, a crucial detail in the ongoing investigation.
West Mercia Police have confirmed they are investigating the linked incidents. A spokesperson urged anyone with information to come forward, stating the incidents have caused significant financial and emotional distress to the hard-working business owners.
This case has sent shockwaves through the UK's hospitality industry, already operating on razor-thin margins. It serves as a stark warning to other restaurants to remain vigilant against this sophisticated and heartless form of fraud.
