How can I press charges against a dine and dasher?

Question

So I have been working at Applebee's for a little while now. One day this girl who looked like she was from the local college came in by herself to eat. She ordered a turkey club and fries with a drink and proceeded to do her homework on her laptop, I even commented on how hard it looked just to engage with her (as she kept pretty silent), So when I gave her the check she made up some excuse saying she left her wallet in her car (as she was just carrying a duffel bag) and she needed to run out and grab it. I said Ok. Well I kept an eye on her from the window and noticed that she at first looked in her car, then looked around, than got in her car and proceeded to start the car and drive off. I started to run out the door, and as she see's me she rolls down the window and screams "the bank, the bank, Im going to the bank!" needless to say she didnt return, and I didnt get a license plate number, and I did get the 13.99 deducted from my check. I was wondering if there was anything I could have done, or still could do about this incident. I felt what she did was extremely cold hearted and she should somehow be held accountable. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

You could file a police report and she could be charged with misdemeanor theft. But, the case won't be very high on the police's list of priorities and if you can't give a name or driver's license or other item, absolutely nothing will be done since they police won't find her even if she was stopped for another minor offense (e.g. running a stop sign or speeding). But, if she is caught, you can file charges to ensure that she is prosecuted and sue her in small claims court to get your money back.



As someone noted, you should have called your manager and had him make the decision. Or, you could have asked that she leave something behind that she would need to pick up, explaining that you have had people leave in the past and you are responsible for the bill if she leaves without paying.

Answer 2

$13.99 is too small to justify legal action against the dine-and-dasher. Filling out forms alone cost more than twice that amount and you cannot sue for court costs in all states. Plus, you have no way of quickly identifying the girl (name, social, phone number, license plate number, etc). As a misdemeanor, dine-and-dashing is not something most police departments take seriously either. But don't quote me on that. At the very least, try your local police department and file a report. See if there are recent reports of a similar crime. If there are, ask for a line-up.



Other than that, try to be careful next time. If someone says they need to go back to their car, make them leave their driver's license. Don't accept a credit card -- could be stolen or they can give you a fake one.



Oh yeah, if the restaurant has a camera or surveilance system when you go file a report at the PD, use that. Makes the person easier to identify. But all this will take time and effort on your part -- not really worth it for $13.99.

Answer 3

i might communicate in self belief to a very close pal or family members member and consistent with probability have them stay over. in case you will no longer be able to do this, checklist him to the police, and tell them you're apprehensive because of the fact he continuously includes your domicile and he says he will kill you, they could positioned some surveillance on him. additionally, tell him that's over as quickly as and for all, and then although you do do no longer respond to his messages or calls. positioned money right into a sequence lock so which you will discover who's on the door before you answer, and if that's him, do no longer answer. If he smashes a window, call the police in the present day away.

Answer 4

Sadly, there is nothing you can do. In the restaurant business, you have to deal with these kind of people. We take losses all the time, screwed up dishes, nontippers, etc. The best thing to do is to just not serve the same people who took off the first time. Good luck in the future though.

Answer 5

I don't know, but one time I jumped out the window at Hennessy's Bar & Grill in Laguna Beach, CA after I got drunk and forgot I spent all my money. I had a chicken sandwich and a bunch of other num-nums. I left what I had for a tip and the wife and I climbed on a table and launched right out the open window.



It was a lot of fun but I don't think I'd repeat it. Hope this answers your question

Answer 6

This is a life lesson you learned the hard way.

Next time, don't let the customer leave the building.

Call the manager.

That's why he gets the big bucks.

Answer 7

You /could/ but it would be a waste of time and money for such a small crime.

I myself wouldn't go after it .