Chicago Restaurant Files Police Report After Three Diners Flee Without Paying $200 Shrimp and Lobster Bill

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — A local Black-owned restaurant in Chicago has filed a police report after three customers ran out without paying a $200 bill for shrimp and lobster. Surveillance footage shows the group laughing and leaving the restaurant patio, sparking outrage from owners who say the incident highlights a growing trend of dine-and-dash thefts across the city.

The incident occurred at Phlavz Restaurant, where owners Andrew Bonsu and Phil Simpson say they identified the suspects but chose to handle the matter through law enforcement rather than accepting repayment after the fact.

Restaurant Co-Owners Speak Out

“It’s actually disappointing — very disappointing — to see that from the community we actually serve,” said co-owner Andrew Bonsu, expressing frustration after reviewing the footage. “The young lady that was serving that table, she’s got kids at home,” added Simpson, noting how such thefts directly impact their hardworking staff.

According to the owners, the three individuals ordered an expensive meal including shrimp and lobster, totaling around $200, before walking out and leaving the bill unpaid. The restaurant later confirmed that while the individuals had been identified, management refused to accept late payment, saying they wanted to address the situation “the right way.”

A police report for theft has been filed, and the case is under investigation.

Dine-and-Dash Thefts on the Rise

The Illinois Restaurant Association has reported a steady increase in dine-and-dash incidents since the COVID-19 pandemic, with many local business owners saying the trend hurts small, independently owned establishments the most.

“These acts don’t just hurt the business,” Bonsu said. “They hurt our servers, our kitchen staff, and our sense of community trust.”

Restaurant Owners Urge Accountability

Phlavz management says they are hopeful the police will locate the suspects and that holding offenders accountable will discourage future cases of restaurant theft.

As of Monday, no arrests have been reported, but the owners said they remain determined to seek justice for their staff and bring attention to what has become a growing issue for Chicago restaurants.

Residents are urged to report similar dine-and-dash incidents to the Chicago Police Department to help reduce the trend citywide.

For verified updates on this story and other Chicago crime reports, visit SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.