Three years is a bit too much.

by Rishi Sat Jun 15, 2013 11:21 am

Malabehar made his menu choices at the Alamo Steakhouse on April 4.
“He ordered a filet, snow crab, lobster pinches, snickers pie, two shots of rumple minz, and a Mike’s hard lemonade,” a spokeswoman for Alamo Steak House said.
But when the check came for $69.27, he refused to pay.
“He came up to the server and said ‘Let me let you in on a secret, I don’t have any money,” she said. “So the server went to the manager, who called the police. The police informed the manager that this guy has been going all over town and eating at restaurants without paying.”
Malabehar had been arrested once earlier this year on Feb. 2 for eating at a restaurant without paying, according to Illinois records.
“The police told the manager to keep the man in the restaurant and that they would come,” the spokeswoman said.
When the police arrived Malabehar told the officers he had ordered food at the restaurant knowing that he would not be able to pay, according to a police report obtained by ABC News.
Malabehar was arrested and charged with burglary, the report said. He pleaded guilty to theft on June 6.
“The initial charge was burglary,” said Robert Scales, the first assistant state attorney for Illinois. ”As part of a June 6 plea agreement, the charge was changed to theft with the prior conviction of theft.”
Malabehar received the three-year sentence because of his prior convictions.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/06/3-years-is-just-desserts-for-man-who-refused-to-pay-dinner-bill/

by Marathadi-Saamiyaar Sat Jun 15, 2013 11:42 am

Rishi wrote:Malabehar made his menu choices at the Alamo Steakhouse on April 4.
“He ordered a filet, snow crab, lobster pinches, snickers pie, two shots of rumple minz, and a Mike’s hard lemonade,” a spokeswoman for Alamo Steak House said.
But when the check came for $69.27, he refused to pay.
“He came up to the server and said ‘Let me let you in on a secret, I don’t have any money,” she said. “So the server went to the manager, who called the police. The police informed the manager that this guy has been going all over town and eating at restaurants without paying.”
Malabehar had been arrested once earlier this year on Feb. 2 for eating at a restaurant without paying, according to Illinois records.
“The police told the manager to keep the man in the restaurant and that they would come,” the spokeswoman said.
When the police arrived Malabehar told the officers he had ordered food at the restaurant knowing that he would not be able to pay, according to a police report obtained by ABC News.
Malabehar was arrested and charged with burglary, the report said. He pleaded guilty to theft on June 6.
“The initial charge was burglary,” said Robert Scales, the first assistant state attorney for Illinois. ”As part of a June 6 plea agreement, the charge was changed to theft with the prior conviction of theft.”
Malabehar received the three-year sentence because of his prior convictions.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/06/3-years-is-just-desserts-for-man-who-refused-to-pay-dinner-bill/

I am not sure how someone can be even tried for less than $100 theft.. If it is Shop lifting... it was done without the store involvement. But, in a restaurant, the server had to provide the food under the assumption the customer would pay. At best it is breach of trust and there is no law against it unless it is given in writing. Perhaps, the restaurant should ask upfront if a customer had money or pay upfront like gas stations.

Dont think this guy had a good lawyer.

Three years is a bit too much.

Three years is a bit too much.

Re: Three years is a bit too much.