Waitress 'dumped in lake' after confronting group of customers who didn't pay bill

Picking up your bill is the standard thing to do, but doing a runner and throwing your waitress in a lake? That’s more than bad manners.

The act of dining and dashing has become somewhat of a regular occurrence, with entitled customers feeling as though they have the right to free food at an establishment.

But if you’ve been flagged down, the only correct response is to pay your bloody bill.

However, attacking your server should never be on the cards.

Unfortunately, one Missouri group seemingly didn’t get the memo and now a waitress has been left traumatised.

Liahna Bertels was allegedly thrown into a lake by a customer. (WAFB9)

Liahna Bertels was working the late-night shift at Fish and Company on the Lake of the Ozarks, in Camdenton, on 28 June when seven people popped in for food and drinks.

WAFB reported that tensions rose when Bertels refused to serve alcohol to a woman who didn’t have ID and although the group went on to order their food, they had to wait longer than was usual for it.

The waitress explained that because of how overwhelmed with orders the kitchen was, which apparently led to the group kicking up a fuss and wanting to leave.

To compromise, Bertels offered to put their meals in to-go boxes before they left.

However, before paying their bill which was around $150 (£118), the customers dashed.

CCTV footage captured the moment the group walked back to their docked boat.

Next, Bertels comes into frame as she chases after them with their bill in hand to try to settle their fee.

She claimed that’s when one of the people grabbed hold of her wrist and threw her into the lake.

The waitress told WAFB: “When I hit the water, they decided to start laughing and cheering, which really hurt.

“I was crying and bawling in the water and I didn’t know what to do.”

Thankfully, she was able to pull herself onto a swim platform of a boat around 10 minutes after the alleged assault.

Bertels and her boss explained how the situation went down. (WAFB9)

Camden County Sheriff’s Office has launched an investigation into the incident as a misdemeanour assault, noting that the suspects are likely from out of state.

A man came forward to cooperate with police and authorities shared his picture to the public on Tuesday (2 July).

However, the sheriff’s office said the man in question isn’t believed to ‘be a suspect in this case’.

Because of the incident, Fish and Company’s General Manager, Sean Dolven, has made a few changes to how his employees handle dashing diners.

He said: “We’ve kind of got it now to where if you’re going to chase somebody down, let somebody know and take somebody with you.

“Either way. That way there’s somebody there that can see what’s going on because sometimes the cameras don’t catch everything.”

LADbible has contacted Camden County Sheriff’s Office for further comment.