IL: Waiter goes above and beyond to catch bill dodgers

[seamusTX]

In the Chicago suburb of Skokie the last week of October, three men ate at a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant and then ran out without paying their $51 bill.

A waiter ran after them and jumped on top of their vehicle. The alleged thieves drove wildly and tried to punch the waiter. They stopped, he called 911, and they fled.

The men were arrested a short time later and charged with combinations of theft, battery, and reckless driving.

Money quote:

"I just think if you see something wrong you should step in," [the waiter] said. "Nowadays no one wants to step in."

Police advised calling 911 instead.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010 ... uv-thwarts" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

[Oldgringo]

I've never been in a Buffalo Wild Wings place. Are they expensive? You can get a lot of chicken for $51.00.

[seamusTX]

I have never been in one (and generally avoid chain restaurants). However, I am pretty sure they serve alcohol.

The incident occurred after midnight.

- Jim

[The Annoyed Man]

5-1/2 tons of their wings aren't worth $51.00, their other snack/appetizers are way overpriced, and the one in Grapevine stinks of cigarette smoke. I only go there when I can't avoid a social obligation.

[chasfm11]

I have never been in one (and generally avoid chain restaurants). However, I am pretty sure they serve alcohol.

The incident occurred after midnight.

- Jim

But all 3 of the perps were under 20 years old. Does IL allow alcohol at 18? Or should there have been more charges filed.

That is one brave (foolish?) guy to ride on the running boards of a car and potentially have to take on 3 young guys by himself. Tactically, that wasn't a very smart setup and for $51. I'm glad that everything worked out OK

[The Annoyed Man]

I have never been in one (and generally avoid chain restaurants). However, I am pretty sure they serve alcohol.

The incident occurred after midnight.

- Jim

But all 3 of the perps were under 20 years old. Does IL allow alcohol at 18? Or should there have been more charges filed.

That is one brave (foolish?) guy to ride on the running boards of a car and potentially have to take on 3 young guys by himself. Tactically, that wasn't a very smart setup and for $51. I'm glad that everything worked out OK

There you go, thinking like an older and wiser man again. Will you never learn?

[seamusTX]

I have never been in one (and generally avoid chain restaurants). However, I am pretty sure they serve alcohol...

But all 3 of the perps were under 20 years old. Does IL allow alcohol at 18? Or should there have been more charges filed.

No state allows people under 21 to purchase or consume alcohol (except for some special cases). However, fake IDs seem to be easy enough to come by.

The charges for underage consumption of alcohol are trivial compared to battery, unless there was a DWI offense.

I agree that the guy was rash to risk his life for $51 of the restaurant's money.

- Jim

[chasfm11]

Maybe I lack a total understanding of these kinds of situations but:
1. These kids were in a bar, drinking under age. If they got it without being carded, someone should be stomping on the bar. If they got it with fake IDs, part of any plea bargin should include the names of those who created the fake IDs and the subsequent prosecution of those people, too.
2. While I'd agree that 3 guys are probably not going to get drunk on $51 worth of bar tab, given the driving that took place, there should have been at least a field sobriety test administered or, since they were already under arrest, a blood sample taken.

Oh, wait...This is IL. The only ones that really need to be prosecuted there are legal gun owners.

[seamusTX]

All police and prosecutors have limited resources and cannot investigate every minor offense.

The suspects were arrested in a different town from where the restaurant is located (that area is a patchwork of small towns). It could be the police just charged them with enough to get some serious bail. The DA can develop more charges later.

I agree about the fake IDs, if that was the case. Fake IDs are a serious issue related to illegal immigration, identity theft, and terrorism.

- Jim

[randomoutburst]

I'm a waitress, and I'll speak for all waitstaff when I say: that waiter is an idiot.

Laws up there may be different, but in Texas if someone runs out on the bill, the restaurant (by law) cannot require the employee to pay for the food. The employee suffers little damage, as they're only out what they may have gotten as a tip. Risking bodily harm for "standing up against what's wrong" doesn't seem like a sensible idea to me. If they're trying to leave and you want to point out that they haven't paid, fine; I would never follow someone into the parking lot or physically prevent them from leaving. Best to write down the license plate and call the police.

On a related note...as soon as I rig up my apron, I'm going to be carrying at work. Now I have an even better reason not to follow dine-and-dashers into the parking lot. Stay outta trouble!

[Keith B]

On a related note...as soon as I rig up my apron, I'm going to be carrying at work. Now I have an even better reason not to follow dine-and-dashers into the parking lot. Stay outta trouble!

In my best tone of a Medieval Times or Scarborough Fare patron, 'Thou dost speakest wisely, oh deliverer of hearty grub.'

Seriously, strapping on a CCW is a big thing that brings with it a huge responsibility. Knowing what it is for and when the proper times to, or not to, use it is key, and you have the right attitude on it young lady.

[chasfm11]

On a related note...as soon as I rig up my apron, I'm going to be carrying at work. Now I have an even better reason not to follow dine-and-dashers into the parking lot. Stay outta trouble!

So the bat sign on the Ka-Bar fanny pack isn't going to work for you under your apron?

[Abraham]

I've yet to understand the appeal of chicken wings.

A very small portion of meat with a lot of bone and fat.

Yuck!

Now, if they were serving chicken legs or thighs...

[randomoutburst]

So the bat sign on the Ka-Bar fanny pack isn't going to work for you under your apron?

I wish I could wear it over my apron.

[Ameer]

Laws up there may be different, but in Texas if someone runs out on the bill, the restaurant (by law) cannot require the employee to pay for the food. The employee suffers little damage, as they're only out what they may have gotten as a tip.

Truer words were never spoken. You can't spell Illinois without "illin".