Furious restaurants have slammed a man and a woman who have been leaving their venues before paying the hefty bills. The owners are hoping to raise awareness in Warkshire
Pub owners have been left fuming after a dine and dash couple have been running out of their boozers after downing shots and scoffing “expensive” food.
The pair are becoming a popular face around north Warkshire following a string of incidents in the area. According to establishments, the pair have a specific plan that they follow after raking up a hefty meal.
The man and woman claim they need to go outside for a smoke before they speed off in a white car with a two-tone style black trim. Several establishments have come forward as they ramp up their hunt to find the “fishy” couple.
CCTV footage from more than one place appears to show the same couple running off without paying. A spokesman for the Red Lion, which was targeted on March 17, said it isn’t the couple’s first rodeo. “I’m angry and disappointed,” they said.
“They’ve clearly done it at many other places. They come in and once ordered pop in and out for a smoke, so when they do run I guess it’s so you think they’re just going for a smoke.
“But the bill was an excessive amount for two people, including bottles of wine, pints of beer and even shots of gin. Starters, the most expensive mains and sides. So it’s a thought out plan they have. They had no intention of paying.”
A few days later on March 22, the hungry pair rocked up at Agra Palace and did the same thing. Owner Jamal Ullah was left kicking himself after they ran up a bill of £160 before stepping out for a smoke, reports Coventry Live.
He said: “They came in about 8.45pm on Saturday night – a walk in, they hadn’t booked. They were polite, ordered quite a lot of stuff, two bottles of wine, lagers, expensive starters and main causes.
“Then toward the end of their meal she went out saying she was going for a smoke, then he said he was going out to check on his wife and asked me to keep an eye on his jacket which he left behind. Then we didn’t see them again.
“Obviously they planned it because of the amount of stuff they ordered – we should have been aware really, ordering that much was a bit fishy. But we’re very busy, we’re well-established, been here over 35 years. We have a really good customer base, a lot of regulars. We never really had a problem like this.
“I put what happened on Facebook so others were aware. It was a lot of money and it upset me – why would someone do that? Pubs and restaurants are going through hard times.”
The post led to several other pubs and restaurants, including the Bull and Butcher, coming forward and sharing images of what appear to be the same couple.
Asked about the Red Lion incident, a Warwickshire Police spokesman said: “Enquiries are ongoing as officers work to identify the individuals involved.”
