'Like A Blood Bath:' Dine-And-Dasher Trashes South Bay Restaurant, Reports Say

HERMOSA BEACH, CA — A man who dined and dashed at a Hermosa Beach restaurant returned several days later to trash the business, causing about $100,000 in damages, according to reports.

The ownership of Playa Hermosa Fish & Oyster Co.’s first run-in with the man came last month, when he ordered about $160 from the restaurant, including a seafood tower, but didn’t pay, People reported, noting the business opted not to press charges.

The situation escalated in the early morning hours of April 29, according to People, when the man broke in, threw dozens of bottles and drank from at least one, KTLA reported.

“It looked like a blood bath with all the wine bottles shattered against the wall, and then the whole entire floor was sopping in alcohol and beer,” owner Lisa Hemmat told People. “He had opened up all the taps of all the beers, and it was just, yeah, I mean, complete destruction of the bar.”

Officers arrived at the restaurant while the man was still there and he was arrested on suspicion of burglary, according to KTLA.