A Surrey man is facing charges after allegedly robbing a North Vancouver gas station to pay the $38 tab he had run up at the restaurant next door.
Surrey resident Cory Henderson, 21, dined at Browns Social House on Lonsdale Avenue Aug. 26 before reportedly trying to leave without paying the bill. When staff stopped him and asked him to settle up, he told them to call the police, saying he would be next door at the Esso station, according to investigators.
Moments later, North Vancouver RCMP received a holdup alarm from the station, where the same man allegedly held a screwdriver to the attendant's neck and stole a small amount of cash. He immediately returned to the restaurant to make good on his bill and was arrested there.
Cpl. Richard De Jong of the North Vancouver RCMP said it's not unusual for a dine-and-dasher to return later with a guilty conscience to pay their bill, "but to steal services and then to steal money to pay for those services" is out of the ordinary.
RCMP held Henderson until Monday and have charged him with robbery, fraudulently obtaining food and beverage and possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose.
A psychiatric evaluation has been ordered given the unusual nature of the crimes, noted De Jong.
Henderson has been released on bail ahead of his next court appearance Sept. 7.
