A man’s deceitful actions at a Glasgow restaurant have left the staff shocked after he stole a phone and used the manager’s credit cards for a spending spree.
The incident took place on Saturday, January 4, around 2:30 PM, at The Thai Bar & Restaurant in Shawlands.
The Incident at The Thai Bar & Restaurant
Benjawan Torrance, who had recently opened the restaurant, was working alongside her colleague when a man walked in from the street claiming he was “very hungry.”
After hearing his plea, the restaurant staff, sympathizing with his situation, agreed to provide him with hot water for his Pot Noodle.
However, this act of kindness quickly turned into a nightmare for the restaurant.
A Sneaky Theft Unfolds
While the staff were occupied, the man seized the opportunity to swipe Mrs. Torrance’s phone, which was sitting on the counter. CCTV footage captured the entire sequence.
Initially, the man seemed like he was waiting for his meal when he covertly reached for the phone hidden behind a food bag.
After a brief wait, he casually slipped the phone into his pocket when no one was looking.
The Discovery and Shock
It wasn’t until about 15 minutes later that the couple realized something was amiss.
Mr. Torrance arrived to collect his wife and discovered her phone was missing.
Upon further inspection, they found that her linked watch also indicated the phone was no longer in the shop.
To make matters worse, the phone contained several credit cards, which the thief wasted no time in using.
By the time the Torrances canceled their cards, the man had already racked up over £300 in purchases at a nearby Morrisons.
Unfortunately, the charges kept coming in, even after the cards were canceled.
The Torrances Share Their Heartbreak
Mr. Torrance expressed his frustration over the situation, saying that the incident was not a simple act of opportunity but one that was planned.
“It really hurt my wife because she was just trying to be nice,” he explained.
The couple had been more than willing to help someone in need, but instead, they were taken advantage of.
A Warning for Local Businesses
Now, the Torrances are cautioning other local business owners to be on the lookout for similar behavior.
Mr. Torrance pointed out that, “It’s horrible because as my wife said, it is not in your nature to turn someone away who is hungry.”
The thief took advantage of the couple’s kindness during a particularly cold period, but now the restaurant is left to deal with the aftermath.
The Police Investigation
Police Scotland is investigating the theft and has confirmed they received a report of the phone being stolen from the restaurant at approximately 2:30 PM on January 4.
While the theft has already caused a significant amount of distress, the Torrances are hopeful that the thief will be caught soon.
The Thai Bar & Restaurant’s Award-Winning Success
Despite this incident, The Thai Bar & Restaurant, which opened in the summer of 2022, remains a standout in the local culinary scene.
Known for its modern, environmentally-friendly approach to Thai cuisine, the restaurant was even named the best Thai restaurant in Scotland at the Scottish Restaurant Awards in 2024.