SEBASTIAN — A 32-year-old who ordered a steak dinner and several drinks from a restaurant told the owner his cash for payment was swirled away from the table by the wind, police said.
Security footage of the incident proved otherwise.
Thomas Blake Young
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Saturday, Sebastian police arrested Thomas Blake Young, described as homeless, on a charge of defrauding an inkeeper. Young was held Tuesday at the Indian River County Jail on $500 bond.
Police responded to reports of a theft about 11 a.m. Saturday at Mo-Bay Grill, 1401 Indian River Drive, Sebastian. The owner said a man, identified as Young, was trying to leave the seafood river side restaurant without paying for his meal.
The owner said Young had a steak dinner and several Patron Tequila mixed drinks, totaling nearly $80, reports show. Young told the owner and employees he left $100 on the table.
Young went to show the owner where he placed the money. When the cash wasn’t there, Young said the “wind must have removed it,” reports show.
Young and employees searched the restaurant for the cash, but couldn’t find it.
Police reviewed the restaurant’s security footage. The footage showed an employee place the bill for the meal at Young’s table.
When Young finished eating, he walked out of the eatery and into the parking lot. At no point did Young take out his wallet and place cash on the table, reports show.
Young eventually admitted he did not have money to pay for the bill, and apologized.
Young was arrested and taken to the county jail. Young has an arraignment at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 24, court records show.
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