DINE AND DASH ATTEMPT FOILED AT TEDDINGTON RESTAURANT
The operations director and duty manager of the Teddington restaurant Bar Estilo in Broad Street told today how they foiled a ‘dine and dash’ attempt by a couple who last night tried to do a runner without paying their £100 bill.
The pair, whose photos have been circulated amongst Teddington traders, spent two hours between 7pm and 9pm in the restaurant enjoying a dinner of assorted tapas, margherita cocktails and prosecco and then made a dash for it without settling their bill.
The duty manager and a bartender gave chase in Broad Street while operations director Colette Whelan initially dialled 101 to alert the police but was then advised to dial 999 as the ‘crime was taking place at the time.’
“It was a quiet Monday night in January and the police turned up within five minutes which was a surprise,” Colette told Teddington Town. “They asked me what I wanted to do and if I wanted to bring charges but all I wanted to do was get paid.
“I didn’t think it was worth the police getting involved. Nothing would ever come of it and it would take ages. When we confronted the couple they said they didn’t have any money and each other claimed they thought the other had paid.
“The woman said she thought there was enough money in her bank account but then had to phone her mother to ask her to transfer some money!”
Colette added: “This is happening too often. We must have about half a dozen cases each year and many other restaurants and bars in the Teddington area have been victims too. The restaurant sector is struggling generally and this is the last thing we need.”
The duty manager ran after the fleeing couple and escorted them back to the restaurant and waited for the police to attend.
He said: “I walked behind them until we got back into the restaurant. I told them they had not paid their bill and they said they didn’t have any money. I said why on earth would you go to restaurant for dinner when you know you can’t pay.”
Colette added on a Teddington Traders group: “Eventually we got paid, a rare and great result and can’t be more grateful to the police. But I want you to have their pics just in case they try it again, people like this usually do. Not the best start to the New year but we set the example and they didn’t get away with it this time. Wishing you all a crime free 2025.”
Other local restaurants including Shambles Wine Bar in the High Street and The Wharf on the river have also fallen victim to the so-called dine and dash incidents.