Footage from Bella Ciao, an Italian restaurant in Port Talbot, went viral on social media.
Over the weekend, a family of eight was accused of leaving a Welsh restaurant without paying.
The incident left the boss of the restaurant devastated and sparked debate on social media.
The restaurant boss was devastated when an eight-member family left without paying their $40 bill.
The owners of the newly opened Bella Ciao restaurant were left 'devastated' when diners allegedly departed without paying their $407 bill.
Following the incident, the restaurant shared footage and photos of the family on social media, accusing them of leaving without paying and causing damage to the restaurant.
Eight members of the family were reported to have ordered a large meal and then left without paying.
According to The Mirror, the family enjoyed a large meal of pricey steaks, 15 bottles of fizzy drinks, and double desserts.
Manager Tyrone Reese said, "They were ordering the most expensive things on the menu, like T-bone steaks. My wife said 'Something's not right.' They went all out with their order but were also sending plates back half empty.”
The restaurant alleges in a Facebook post that the woman tried to pay with a savings account card twice, but it was declined.
She assured that her son would wait inside while she went out to get her ‘other card’. However, she did not return, and then the son received a phone call and left as well.
The restaurant manager called the police after being unable to contact the family of eight
The result, Bella Ciao was unable to contact the family as they used a 'fake' number to make their reservation.
The restaurant had 'no choice' but to report the incident to the police. South Wales police confirmed that they were called just before 9.40pm on 19 April with a report of making off without payment from a business premises on Castle Street, Swansea. Investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances behind the incident and to identify those involved.
On social media, the family’s Dine and dash went quickly viral and sparked debate.
One person said: What a disgusting family hope they get charged, this behavior is absolutely appalling, everyone is finding it difficult and then you get this, hope the law comes down heavy on you.
A second wrote: I think you should show their faces and shame them for their disgusting behavior hopefully someone knows who they are and you can get the police involved.
While a third commented: Just heard on the radio the police have been to their address. Because they have done it to several restaurants they are pressing charges.
Someone else said: The parents involved need to be arrested, if they can’t afford to eat out they have no business doing this awful thing to hard-working bus owners, probably trying to stay above water in these hard times!
After the incident, Reese said he was flooded with calls from other nearby restaurants detailing similar incidents with a family.
He added, “I don't understand how they [the family] can get away with this. It annoys me to know this is happening and that they are getting away with it."
