A San Carlos man who was on parole in Marin County ordered and ate $70 worth of food at a local restaurant, left without paying and was later arrested for the alleged dine and dash Friday afternoon, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.
A community service officer working parking enforcement in the 600 block of Laurel Street in San Carlos was flagged down by a citizen at approximately 2 p.m. Friday and was told that a theft had just occurred at Sneakers Restaurant, located at 1163 San Carlos Avenue, Sheriff's officials said.
The citizen also said the suspect was seen running south through the Wells Fargo parking lot while being chased by restaurant employees.
According to restaurant employees, the suspect ordered and ate $70 worth of food and then ran out the rear alley door without paying. The employees gave chase and flagged down a San Mateo County sheriff's deputy responding to the area, and told them the suspect was walking south on Elm Street from Cherry Street.
Deputies stopped and detained the suspect, 43-year-old San Carlos resident Patrick Higgins, who was found walking in that area.
Higgins was identified by restaurant employees and further investigation revealed that he was also on parole in Marin.
The Sheriff's Office said Higgins was booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility in Redwood City on a charge of burglary for his dine and dash escapade and earned himself a parole violation as well.
