Police hunt dine-and-dash couple who fled Chinese restaurant

Police are searching a ‘dine and sprint’ couple who’re suspected of preying on hard-pressed eating places in a seaside resort.

The man and girls are believed to be racking up massive payments in eating places in Southend, Essex, earlier than doing a runner with out paying their invoice.

Today, the newest sufferer of the younger couple spoke out and informed how his enterprise was being hit by ‘dine and dashers’ as soon as each two months.

Steve Yeung, 52, the proprietor of The Pearl Dragon in Southend, Essex, mentioned within the newest incident on Sunday, February 18, a person and girl fled with out paying their £127 invoice.

After posting CCTV stills of the pair on Facebook, Mr Yeung mentioned many different companies had come ahead and it appeared they’re prolific within the space.

Police are searching a ‘dine and sprint’ couple who’re suspected of preying on hard-pressed eating places in Southend, Essex

After posting CCTV stills of the pair on Facebook, enterprise proprietor Steve Yeung mentioned many different eating places had come ahead and it appeared they’re prolific within the space.

Mr Yeung mentioned: ‘So many individuals have referred to as, emailed or come into the restaurant and the couple are apparently well-known for leaving with out paying.

‘They’re identified for doing it – but I had no clue till it occurred to me.

‘Maybe we should always have been pre-warned that two folks had been doing it everywhere in the native space to such a level – folks simply do not wish to go to the police over one invoice.

‘This restaurant is my house and I’ve the identical feeling as if somebody got here into my residential house and stole from me. They’ve abused our belief.’

The CCTV photographs present a bearded man and girl in a protracted gray coat getting into the restaurant which has been run by Mr Yeung’s household since 1978.

The brazen pair – believed to be of their 30s – tucked into prawns on toast, ribs and crispy duck earlier than washing it down with cokes and lemonades.

They then left with out paying the invoice for his or her 4 starters, 4 predominant programs and as much as eight tender drinks.

Mr Yeung mentioned: ‘Dining and dashing has positively gone up in recent times, it was once as soon as in a blue moon – it was so rare you would keep in mind each.

‘We now in all probability see them now each couple of months with the one earlier than this in December or November time, forsaking a £180 invoice.

Steve Yeung says the Pearl Dragon restaurant on the promenade in Southend has been run by his household since 1978. He says dine-and-dash prospects had been as soon as a rarity however are actually changing into frequent

‘As a enterprise, it’s a must to turn out to be extra conscious of it and it does sadly imply you turn out to be judgmental.

‘It should not need to be like that – I hate it has come to this.’

The Pearl Dragon has not solely seen a rise in prospects not paying their payments, however was additionally sufferer to being burgled 4 occasions in two weeks final July.

Mr Yeung mentioned: ‘The £127 just isn’t one thing we as a enterprise can soak up and that was loads of foods and drinks.

‘We began getting suspicious a few hours in as a result of the gentleman stored going exterior and in and out of doors once more.

‘To start with, there was nothing to be involved about – there was nothing extreme – no lobster, or alcoholic drinks.

‘We cannot let this type of incident beat us however it’s simply extremely miserable.’

Essex Police confirmed they’re investigating the incident.

A spokesman mentioned: ‘We have acquired an allegation of theft that occurred at a restaurant in Eastern Esplanade, Southend, on Sunday, February 18.

‘It was reported a person and girl ordered meals on the restaurant and left with out paying.’