Diners' 'shameful' $500 act caught on camera: 'Never happened before'
A group of teens have been slammed for allegedly fleeing a Melbourne restaurant without paying after racking up a bill of $500, the owner claims.
CCTV footage released by Old School Pizza & Stone Grill shows 12 young males sitting across two courtyard tables before getting up to leave one by one.
The footage was shared on the restaurant's TikTok page where it garnered over three million views and thousands of comments, many of which condemned the alleged act.
The restaurant owner claimed they ordered $500 worth of food of drink at the Coburg restaurant just after 8.30pm on October 8.
The incident was reported to the police the following day and investigations continue, a spokesperson confirmed to Yahoo News Australia.
"It is believed a group of males attended the business on Nicolson Street and ordered a large amount of food which was consumed just before 8pm," they said in a statement.
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CCTV reveals restaurant act
The video shows the group arriving at the restaurant. They step under a scaffolding fence before finding their seat.
With plates still on their table, they start to leave, slipping back under the scaffolding. The first few leave slowly and casually but the last couple dash off quickly.
"In the seven years we have been here something like this has never happened," the restaurant owner said, according to News.com.au
He explained that customers typically pay after they finish eating. He wants to ensure they're "happy and satisfied" before charging them for a meal.
In this particular instance, they were fully booked, but the restaurant staff made room for the group of 12 boys.
'Scum' act slammed on social media
The restaurant act shocked many who saw the video which was shared online last week.
"The shame they're putting on their families," one said.
"Parents taught them well!" wrote another.
"Sorry you guys had to experience this, "another told the restaurant owners.
"By trusting and doing good by people and not taking money beforehand, people took advantage of it. Scums."
Restaurant staff blamed for 'classic move'
But others said staff should have seen it coming.
"Classic move, waiter should've been on his toes and paying attention," one said.
"How did y’all not see them walk away one by one," said another.
The restaurant replied to say that customers often "go for a cigarette after their meal then come have dessert," so they didn't think anything of it.
"Also we won't risk our staff," they said.
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