Dine and dash spree brothers face charges after one was unceremoniously stopped in his tracks

Two brothers accused of dining and dashing at restaurants in Cleveland, Ohio, face misdemeanor charges. Matthew Gareau, 30, and Scott Gareau, 40, are each charged with defrauding a restaurant, a first degree misdemeanor, according to affidavits filed in Cleveland Municipal Court on Friday.



While restaurateurs have alleged the men ripped off as many as six restaurants in a three-day span, the men are only charged in connection with a June 17 incident at Crop Bistro in Ohio City. Owner Stephen Schimoler said the brothers ordered about $160 worth of food and drinks. Towards the end of the meal, the men got up and walked outside to have a smoke.

They left without paying, Schimoler said in the affidavit. Matthew Gareau was arrested on June 19 at Johnny's Downtown in the Warehouse District, after manager David Flowers wrestled him to the ground. Flowers recognized Gareau from a photograph Schimoler posted on Facebook, and said Gareau was trying to leave Johnny's without paying.



A bartender at Red, the Steakhouse said the brothers had come in for dinner the night before, ordered and consumed $284 worth of food and drinks and went outside to smoke. They never returned, the bartender said. Schimoler said that employees believe the men did the same thing at Bar Cento minutes before going into Crop Bistro. The brothers are scheduled to appear in court at 8:30am on July 10.