Cops hunting ‘Bonnie & Clyde’ couple who ‘fled without paying’ from several restaurants arrest man, 45, and woman, 43
POLICE hunting a "Bonnie and Clyde" couple who allegedly fled without paying from several restaurants have arrested two people.
A man, 45, and 43-year-old woman, of Suffolk, were questioned over the alleged "dine and dashes".
Police today said the pair had been released under investigation as they released a list of pubs and restaurants hit over at least four months - including one left in the lurch for a sum of £197.
The first incident was reported at the Bird In Hand Pub in Wreningham in Norfolk on July 19, with incidents continuing through August to October.
In another linked case, the Barn Brasserie in Colchester reported a meal worth £146 was left unpaid for.
The tricksters reportedly use the same ruse every time.
They apologise after their card is declined, leave a fake address and phone number and then hop it, it's alleged.
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The couple racked up a bill of £56 after washing down dinner with double vodkas.
Julie, 52, said: "They have this down to a fine art.
"They were completely at ease, they didn’t give us any cause for concern.
"They were very confident and smooth."
Cases linked to dine and dash pair
At Hintlesham Hall in Hintlesham on 9 August
The George at Hintlesham on 24 August 2020
The Waterfront Bistro on Key Street in Ipswich on 2 September
The Marquis of Cornwallis, Upper Street in Layham on 10 September meals ordered to the value of £197 without paying.
At the Swan Inn, The Street, Monks Eleigh in late October.
Two cases were reported in Norfolk at the Bird In Hand Pub in Wreningham on 19 July 2020 and the Sugar Beat Public House in Bracon Ash on 20 July.
One case was also reported in Essex on 23 August at the Barn Brasserie on Brook Road in Colchester where a meal worth £146 was not paid for.
Footage of the couple, captured on the Swan’s CCTV system, has since been passed over to the police.
Julie added: "They must have been having a free meal every night at that point.
"To add insult to injury they asked if they could take a bottle of wine home.
“We’re all struggling massively at the moment.
"And to have a couple take advantage for their own selfish gains is not on.
"They’re like East Anglia’s Bonnie and Clyde."
Julie posted about the couple on a pub owners Facebook group and could not believe the response.
More than a dozen landlords and restaurateurs have got in touch to say they too had been hit in exactly the same way.
On one occasion the brazen fraudsters managed to dodge paying after staying a week at a hotel, it was reported.
It is believed the pair have been operating since January.
On September 10, the pair reportedly racked up a bill of £197 after ordering meals at a pub in Layham, Suffolk.
A meal worth £146 was not paid for at a pub in Colchester, Essex.
The culprits have also struck in Ipswich, Wreningham and Brecon Ash.
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Suffolk Police said: “This type of behaviour is simply unacceptable.”