24 February 2024 , 11:58
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Police have launched an investigation after a couple reportedly fled a Chinese restaurant without paying a £127 bill.
Staff at Pearl Dragon on Southend’s Eastern Esplanade were left fuming after the dine-and-dash pair allegedly fled the premises last Sunday - and appealed to the local community to help them identify the culprits. In a post on Facebook, the restaurant wrote: "Not a great start to the new year, this couple visited us over the weekend and ran up a large bill then left when no one was looking.
"Police are aware but not much they can do unless anyone here recognises them. Please share and let us know if anyone does recognise them. Male and female." Their loyal customers have reportedly since come forward with names of the couple, who are alleged to be well known in the area for similar antics.
CCTV footage shows the couple inside the restaurant (Pearl Dragon Restaurant/Facebook)
The £127 bill included four starters, four main courses and around eight soft drinks (Pearl Dragon Restaurant/Facebook)CCTV stills released by the restaurant showed the man, who is bald, has a beard and is wearing a grey jumper with blue jeans, entering alongside the woman, who has blonde hair and is wearing a long brown coat. Owner Steve Yeung, 52, said the business had been in his family since 1978, and that until recently dine and dash incidents were practically unheard of.
But repeated incidents have left the Chinese eatery struggling to recoup lost cash, and he said his suspicions were roused in this case a couple of hours in when the man kept walking outside and inside. He shared that their £127 bill included four starters, four main courses and around eight soft drinks. Police have confirmed they are investigating the incident - and Mr Yeung is hoping more action will be taken against known offenders. He told the Essex Gazette Standard: "I’ve had six other businesses message me saying that this has happened to them. If people like this are so well known then why has nothing been done? It all adds up and this just needs to be stopped.”
'I absolutely hate when people ask to split the bill - I can't afford it'
An Essex Police spokesman confirmed the force was investigating the incident, and told local media: “We have received an allegation of theft that took place at a restaurant in Eastern Esplanade, Southend, on Sunday. It was reported a man and woman ordered food at the restaurant and left without paying."