Police have arrested a man and woman after a family of eight allegedly went on a dine-and-dash spree leaving bills worth hundreds unpaid at several restaurants.
South Wales Police (SWP) said the two people had been held today following non-payment of restaurant bills and shoplifting around Swansea and other parts of South Wales. It comes after multiple restaurants complained a family had left outstanding bills worth hundreds of pounds.
A spokesman said: “A 41-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman, both from Sandfields, Port Talbot, have been arrested for fraud (obtaining services dishonestly) and theft offences.
“They are currently in police custody at Swansea Central police station. Our investigation is ongoing.”
The arrests come after a family was caught on camera allegedly doing a runner at the newly-opened Bella Ciao, in Port Talbot, after gorging themselves on pricey steaks and double deserts that cost £329. The Yard, in Cowbridge, Rover House in Swansea and La Casone in Skewen, also complained that a family had refused to pay and issued public appeals.
CCTV of the family shared by Bella Ciao enraged the public and went viral with more than 12 million people viewing it within hours of being shared on X, formerly Twitter. The family was accused of scoffing T-bone steaks, guzzling down 15 bottles of pop and indulging themselves on double desserts before leaving without paying at Bella Ciao on Friday evening.
Manager Tyrone Reese said he had an odd feeling when the family started sending back plates with meals left half-eaten.
He told The Mirror: “They were ordering the most expensive things on the menu, like T-bone steaks and the like.
My wife said ‘Something’s not right.’ They went full-on with their order but they were also sending plates back half empty.”
La Casona, near Neath, also claimed to have fallen victim to dine and dashers.
A restaurant employee posted: “On February 23, six people visited our restaurant and left without paying almost £300. All restaurants reported it to the police, will we get any response? Will justice be served? We don’t think so…”
The post went on: “Our story: After the meal, four people have already left the restaurant. One lady stayed with a young boy to ‘pay’. The woman tried to pay with a card which was declined. She said she would get another card from her car. We asked the boy to stay and wait for her in the restaurant. She left, and 10 seconds after, the boy started to run to the car. We called the police as soon as it happened.”
The Yard also shared a post on social media, adding: “Honestly so gutted and can’t believe people can have the heart to do this… The whole thing was very well planned out, they must do it often. Just don’t understand how people can do this to a hard working, struggling independent business. This is her supposedly going to get us cash out from the cashpoint after her card declined three times.”
