Dine & Dash: Patrons dine for R10 000 at Durban restaurant without paying

Three patrons at a popular Durban beachfront restaurant racked up a bill of nearly R10 000 – and then made a run for it without paying.

By: Garrin Lambley

Three patrons at a popular Durban beachfront restaurant racked up a bill of nearly R10 000 – and then made a run for it without paying.

According to the bill, which amounted to a whopping R9 322 (excluding tip), the trio ordered a R3 900 bottle of Hennessey, lamb chops at R295 each and Bisquit cognac for R1 500 – among several other items – at the California Dreaming restaurant last Friday.

HOSTED GUESTS AT THE DURBAN RESTAURANT

The trio reportedly arrived at 13:30 and, as the bill time stamp indicates, were still drinking around nine hours later.

They hosted several guests during their time at the establishment.

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The restaurant’s manager Njabulo Mlambo told TimesLIVE that: “They ordered a bottle of Hennessey to start off with and a couple of mixers.

“They were here for a good couple of hours and were joined by two women, who drank and left. Two other men joined them as well and left. Three people were left at the table.

“They asked to settle the bill around 22:15.”

CARD WAS DECLINED FOUR TIMES

When one of them attempted to pay with a bank card, it was declined four times (never a good sign!)

“He asked if it was possible to make an EFT payment. I called my boss’s brother to ask for permission.

“The one guy sent me a proof of payment via WhatsApp. It looked legitimate.

“I called my boss’s brother to check whether payment reflected and he said no.”

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The same patron who supposedly made the payment then asked to go to the bathroom which raised suspicion, which was the cue for them to make a run for it.

Not cool!

Mlambo immediately contacted the restaurant’s security firm, Boss UIP Security Specialists.

“I asked the men to wait until we received confirmation that the money was in our account.

“They said it was fine. The same guy who wanted to make payment, then asked to go to the toilet.

“They made a run for it. We managed to catch one guy.”

APPEARED IN COURT

One of the men was caught by the restaurant’s security company.

Police spokesperson Lt-Col Robert Netshiunda confirmed that a 28-year-old man was arrested for fraud and has appeared in the Durban magistrate’s court.

What is the highest bill you have ever racked up, either alone or among a group of people? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below