HE has been dubbed the ‘Suicidal Diner’ – a man, apparently from Phoenix, who cruises the South Coast by train, dines out at restaurants and then slashes his wrists to get out of paying the bill.
Several restaurants have apparently been scammed. The man, in his late 40s, pulls out a blade and cuts his arm in an ‘attempted suicide’ just as the bill arrives.
The panicked restaurateurs call emergency services and the man uses the ambulance as his official get-away vehicle. He gets patched up in the back of the ambulance and jumps back on a train home.
Strange, but true, say several local restaurant owners who have been left red-faced. And although the story sounds outlandish, a Mid South Coast Mail reporter witnessed the conman in action. The reporter has confirmed that the police have been informed and will be investigating.
“People often use some really creative ways to get out of paying their bills, but this one really takes the steak,” said one restaurant owner.
