UK couple arrested over 'dine and dash' spree, ate meals worth Rs. 1 lakh

The incident came to light after Bella Ciao Swansea took to social media and said: "To the family who left the restaurant this evening without paying their bill, shame on you!!"

According to a New York Post report, the couple had done the same thing at multiple eateries.

"Now, the pair, Ann aged 39 and Bernard McDonagh aged 41, were accused of dining at five restaurants within a 30-mile radius of each other, and leaving without paying their bill," as per a report in the New York Post.

They were raided for several "dine and dashes" at UK restaurants and for having free food over $1200 (approximately Rs. 1 lakh).

The couple has been arrested and charged with five counts of fraud.

Meanwhile, the wife Ann was also charged with four counts of theft, as per a post by South Wales Police on X.

A restaurant, that fell victim to the fraud, said that the family was able to carry out the theft as law enforcement did not consider their calls an emergency.

"They use the same procedure with premeditation and continue to rob without any consequences," Spanish and Italian restaurant La Casona said.

The couple was joined by four other people for a meal at the designated restaurant. Then four members of the group would leave as soon as they finished their heavy meals, which would be as much as $400, leaving Ann McDonagh and a young kid to "pay" the bill.

"We sent CCTV recordings, photos, and even the registration plate number. The response was: 'This vehicle is connected to many people," the owners said told the media.

In a detailed post on Facebook along with the picture of the family, Bella Ciao Swansea wrote that one of the women (Ann McDonagh) from the group tried to pay the bill using her card, however, it declined twice.

She told the staff members that her son would wait at the restaurant while she would get another card. Within a few minutes, her son received a call and left the restaurant.

They wrote on Facebook, "The lady tried to pay with a savings account card which got declined twice, she then said her son would wait inside while she went out to get her 'other card' of course she does not return and then the son receives a phone call and says he has to go and does a runner."