Fed-up restaurant owner tracks down dine-and-dashers with help of social media

A Charlottetown restaurant owner is crediting the public and the power of social media for helping her track down a family who feasted on lobster, oysters and drinks before pulling the infamous dine-and-dash.

Lisa Gale, owner of Lobster on the Wharf, said staff were surprised and disheartened when a family of four visiting from out of province skipped out on their $170 bill and tip Monday night.
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Lobster on the Wharf staff were determined to find the family. They found security camera footage of them leaving, and Gale posted it to the restaurant's Facebook page.

She said the post got about 600 shares and 60,000 views, and the calls started coming in. One led to the identity and phone number of the family.

"I believe they are from Ontario, they were here visiting, and when I reached out to ask why they left and didn't pay their bill, they were more concerned with their pictures [being] on social media," Gale said. "So I agreed if they sent me the money and paid for the meal that I would take the pictures down."

Wednesday morning, she got an e-transfer for $170, and took down the post.
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Charlottetown police encourage restaurants to report people who skip out on their bill. Sgt. Melissa Craswell said it is a criminal offence that can lead to charges.

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