Alleged 'Dine-and-Dash Dater' Faces 13 Years in Prison

[left-of-center2012]

A man who fled at least 10 restaurant dates without paying his bill, earning him the title of "Dine-and-Dash Dater," has finally been nabbed, say law enforcement officials in California. Paul Gonzales, 45, pleaded not guilty Monday to extortion, attempted extortion, grand theft, and petty theft charges.

The LA County District Attorney's Office describes as a two-year scheme in which Gonzalez allegedly targeted women he met on dating websites and apps. From May 2016 to April 2018, Gonzales allegedly chowed down on meals at restaurants in Pasadena, Long Beach, Burbank, and Los Angeles before sneaking away on the pretext of making a phone call or using the bathroom.

Eight women were left with bills totaling more than $950, while restaurants picked up the check in two other cases. Gonzales also is accused of running out of a hair salon without paying for services.

Held on $315,000 bail, he faces up to 13 years in state prison if convicted, the DA's office says. "He doesn't have to worry about any meals now; he's gonna get three square meals a day," one of his alleged victims tells CBS Los Angeles. Gonzales is next to appear in court on Sept. 7.

https://tinyurl.com/ybl63lmn

[Watchfoxheadexplodes]

1. Loser

Geez Don Juan

[Beakybird]

2. My brother has a better way.

He says to the waiter, "My name is Crime, and crime doesn't pay." This always works because everyone knows that crime doesn't pay.

[left-of-center2012]

4. Which is why your brother ...

Which is why your brother is
"sitting alone, Saturday night, watching the Late Late Show.
A bottle of wine, some cigarettes, got no place to go."

[Ron Obvious]

3. Seems rather disproportionate.

Bills totalling less than $1,000, yet $315,000 bail and up to 13 years in prison?

What am I missing that warrants this sleazeball getting anything more than restitution plus fine and community service?

[TeamPooka]

5. so if he only robbed a small amount from many people or businesses thats okay?

[left-of-center2012]

7. Some perps think dine and dash is funny

[TeamPooka]

9. he's serial thief preying on women as victims.

[Ron Obvious]

12. "Disproportionate" is the key word in my reply. n/t

[LanternWaste]

15. As are the words "theft", "fraud", and "felony." nt

[2naSalit]

16. Just the restaurant tabs that weren't covered by the restaurantuers

He's a repeat offender, at least nine counts... that'll get you some big bail payouts.

[left-of-center2012]

6. Dollar amount make it felonies?

[Aristus]

8. iI supposed it helps to offer a financial disincentive for doing the crimes again.

Money talks...

[Ron Obvious]

11. I would agree with a large fine.

Nobody but the private prison complex would benefit from a 13 year sentence though, for fuck's sake.

America's ideas of justice frankly disgust me.

[JHB]

14. Because serial skipping-out might indicate a flight risk?

Somehow I think the judge suspects a guy whose MO is running out when the bill comes due just might run when the bill comes due.

[2naSalit]

17. Better point than mine!

[dalton99a]

10. Fine dining memories he will cherish in prison

What an idiot

[eppur_se_muova]

13. No no no ... you're supposed to hire contractors, then stiff them for thousands.

That way you don't ever go to jail. It's always worked for UC-1.

He stiffed a caterer for thousands, and told her that the prestige of having him as a client was payment enough.