A Wyoming restaurant owner has resorted to public shaming on social media after a family of four allegedly dined and dashed, leaving behind a $130 bill. Zoey Aldahash, proprietor of Sweet Zoey Mediterranean in Casper, posted an image on Facebook of the individuals, a woman, man, and two teenagers, who she claims consumed a full meal before fleeing.
"They ate everything, appetizers, drinks, sweets, mains, everything," Aldahash told Cowboy State Daily. "Then the four of them stood up in the same moment together, they walked to the door, and once they opened the door, they ran to the car — they were running."
Aldahash stated she chose not to involve the police in this instance because a previous incident in 2024, involving a group of five dine-and-dashers at her restaurant, did not result in any action by law enforcement. "In my previous experience, calling the police didn’t work. There was no help, so I didn’t contact the police the second time," she explained, adding, "These people came here and they intended to steal."
The decision to post the family's image online drew mixed reactions from locals. Some supported Aldahash's move, expressing anger at the alleged dine-and-dashers. Others questioned the approach, particularly given that minors appeared to be involved. "How disgusting! Make sure their photos are plastered everywhere so they can be banned from everywhere. People like them should never be allowed anywhere," one social media user commented, according to the outlet. Another offered to help cover a portion of the bill. Comments on the original post have since been disabled.
Casper Police Department Public Information Officer Rebekah Ladd cautioned that social media posts can lead to misidentification and unwarranted harassment. "Posting [images] publicly is typically not the most appropriate tactic at the beginning of a dine-and-dash investigation," Ladd told Cowboy State Daily. She also advised businesses to exercise particular caution when juveniles might be involved and when the full circumstances of an event are not yet known.
As of the report, the individuals have not been identified or apprehended, leaving Aldahash frustrated but appreciative of her regular customers' support. The restaurant, known for its baklava and kebabs, is located in Casper, Wyoming.