Man Manages to Avoid Paying Bills in 20 Restaurants by Pretending to Have a Heart Attack in Each of Them

In an audacious streak of deception, a man successfully dodged paying bills in 20 restaurants by faking a heart attack every time. But on his final attempt, he was surprised not by doctors but by someone completely unexpected. Keep reading to unravel the bizarre details of this dine-and-dash mastermind.

Aidas J., a Lithuanian citizen residing in Alicante, Spain, has caused a buzz online because of a highly peculiar reason—his dining ritual. In the past, he followed a distinctive routine when dining out. He would commence his meal with Russian salad, accompanied by a generous serving of whiskey.

For the main course, he opted for lavish dishes such as entrecôte or lobster rice, always complemented by more whiskey. Leaving space for dessert, he would leisurely savor a glass or two of White Label whiskey. However, there was a twist to his unusual dining habits—Aidas had no intention of paying for his drinks.

Instead, Aidas patiently waited until the police arrived. This curious pattern led to his arrest a staggering 20 times for the same offense since the end of 2022, earning him the infamous moniker of the "Gastrojeta."

What Did the Man Look Like?

The 50-year-old man found himself behind bars after neglecting to settle two fines resulting from his outrageous series of theatrical dine-and-dash escapades. A strange photo shared as a warning to restaurants depicted the diner seemingly collapsed on the floor—a scene that was part of his seemingly absurd act.

As a result, he was also given a restraining order, preventing him from approaching the restaurant for six months.

In nearly every venue he targeted, mainly in Costa Blanca, he staged the same dramatic performance. His list of defrauded eateries included El Buen Comer, a rice and paella restaurant on Calle Mayor, and Sale&Pepe, both located in Alicante.

Aidas appeared entirely ordinary, giving no cause for suspicion. He resembled a typical Russian tourist, apparently unfamiliar with Spanish, although authorities dealing with him suspected he comprehended the language. His demeanor exuded kindness, and he dressed impeccably, often donning designer clothing, according to the National Police.

His attire typically consisted of long gray pants, sturdy trekking shoes, and a vest. There was no apparent reason to doubt his ability to settle the bills, which, throughout his escapades, ranged from more than 30 euros ($31) to 70 euros ($73). Despite his seemingly ordinary facade, his peculiar dining antics left a trail of bemusement and bewilderment.

How Did He Handle His Business?

In the past, he would walk into restaurants, seamlessly mixing languages and gestures to place orders from the menu before dropping the bombshell—he had no intention of paying. The manager of El Buen Comer recalled:

"It was very theatrical, he pretended to faint and slumped himself down on the floor. "We have sent his photo around to all the restaurants to try and stop him from striking again."

Employees at Sale&Pepe shared: "We've all received a warning with his photo telling us to be careful and to not serve him anything." Despite his audacious behavior, Aidas remained remarkably compliant when law enforcement agents arrived, never causing any trouble, even when he had indulged excessively in whiskeys. "He smiles, he stays calm, he goes unpunished," they noted.

However, once he was no longer constrained by menus served within penitentiary institutions, where he could only predictably drink water, his situation became more challenging. Although Aidas was known to stick to restaurants in the historic center and the vicinity of the port of Alicante, he had been seen in other places too.

The cops reported that he was once caught in San Juan Beach, an area nearly 9 kilometers away but within the municipal boundary. He even attempted his scheme at a hut during the local festivals, the Bonfires, always appearing unapologetic and bold, often with a few whiskeys under his belt.

How Was He Caught?

In September 2023, the "Gastrojeta" executed his well-known dine-and-dash strategy once again at El Buen Comer. Around 4 p.m., he arrived at the restaurant, ordering a seafood paella. To pass the time, he had two whiskeys and a double Coca-Cola.

After finishing his meal and drinks, he stood up from the table. When he approached the door, one of the restaurant's colleagues asked him to settle the bill. Following this request, the man claimed he had consumed too much and lacked money to pay.

"We told him that if he didn't pay the bill he wouldn't leave and that we were going to call the police. It was then that he began to faint. He fell to the ground, but supported himself so as not to hurt himself," recounted Moisés Doménech, the restaurant owner.

Following the incident, Aidas was arrested, marking yet another failed attempt at his dine-and-dash strategy. Subsequently, he faced a swift trial, during which he was fined 900 euros ($950), equivalent to 10 euros ($10) per day for three months.

Additionally, the court ordered him to pay the restaurant's bill, approximately 40 euros ($41). The Alicante courts issued an order committing him to prison due to unresolved cases related to similar incidents. As a result, he was also given a restraining order, preventing him from approaching the restaurant for six months.

Following the incident at the restaurant, the National Police swiftly responded to the scene, attempting to revive the man. His lack of response prompted them to call for an ambulance and inform the Headquarters. At the Central, they inquired whether the man in question was Polish or Lithuanian and bald. It was then that they confirmed his identity as the notorious "Gastrojeta," as recounted by Doménech.

As a consequence of his refusal to pay two fines, the expat found himself behind bars for 42 days. These incidents, while involving relatively small amounts of money, were categorized as "minor crimes."

Despite the minor charges, restaurant owners are said to have united in their resolve to take action. They are now planning to file a joint complaint against Aidas, a move that could potentially lead to a two-year jail sentence for the habitual dine-and-dash artist.

The Online Reaction

What are your thoughts on this story? Click here to read another one about a man whose sister conveniently forgot her wallet every time they dined out. To her surprise, his wife secretly took the wallet on their next outing.