“Be on the lookout for these 5 individuals who may be habitual dine-n-dashers,” reads a social media post by Queen Violet WeHo, an Asian Fusion Restaurant located at 8543 Santa Monica Blvd.
“On Saturday January 28, 2023, these customers made bogus complaints and took off after shortchanging us on the bill for half the amount. See the attached videos showing them leave the table abruptly and walking away from their ride and the driver taking off when we approached the car. Diners, please alert the wait staff if you see these people. Restaurant owners and staff, be on alert if you recognize these people dining at your establishment and if they start to complain about everything for no apparent reason.”
The post refers to a video showing five individuals get up out of their seats without paying the full amount of their bill.
“Be on the lookout for these 5 individuals who may be habitual dine-n-dashers,” warns Queen Violet WeHo, an Asian Fusion Restaurant located at 8543 Santa Monica Blvd. #wehotimes #weho
https://t.co/vUw42LWrMC pic.twitter.com/ebQEF8gKAb— WEHO TIMES (@WEHO_TIMES) January 31, 2023
“If you walk out of a California restaurant or bar without paying your bill – ‘dine and dash’ as it is often called – you are committing a crime and could land in jail,” says attorney Neil Shouse, of Shouse California Law Group.
Under Section 537(a), it is a California criminal offense to:
“…Obtain any food, fuel, services, or accommodations at a hotel, inn, restaurant, boardinghouse, lodging house, apartment house, bungalow court, motel, marina, marine facility, auto camp, ski area, or public or private campground, without paying therefor, with intent to defraud the proprietor or manager thereof”
However, in order for leaving without paying to be a crime, it must have been done “with the intent to defraud.”
According to Shouse, the penalties upon conviction for a violation of Section 537 depend on the size of the tab:
If the value of the credit, food and beverages is $950 or less, you could be fined up to $1,000 and/or sentenced to up to six months in county jail.
If the value of the credit, food and beverages is greater than $950, you could be sentenced to one to three years in county jail.
When asked if Queen Violet WeHo management called the West Hollywood Sheriff’s to file a report, they told WEHO TIMES they did not make the call because, “we think police is going to do nothing. It’s a small claim.”
They said they posted the video because they wanted to warn all the other restaurants about these five individuals who all seemed to be in agreement that they get a meal at half-price if they complain and they appear to make a getaway when they were confronted on the street.
Based on the info in the article: there was a dispute over the service and/or food the displeased customers paid a portion of their bill (not all) and left no police report was filed I wasn’t there, but this sounds like a dispute between the customer and the restaurant. Period. I’ve never known “dine & dashers” to dine, pay a portion, and dash….it’s possible, I guess. Would be interesting to see more of the video to see their body contact or something to provide more context as to state of mind. Oh well, best of luck to both parties and… Read more »
Most restaurants will comp you the meal. In this case, there was no agreement that they would get the entire meal for five people at half price because they sensed something was fishy. They fed five people and only got paid for two people with some extras on the side. That’s messed up. What if we all made up our own prices based on what we decided the food and service was worth? The waiter chasing after them says it all.
Can you please scan the car plate ? Hunt their asses downnnnnn.
Why wouldn’t you call the police so they can inform other businesses? It’s your duty to warn others.