Georgia man calls 911 from a Red Lobster, says he has a medical emergency. Then the police takes him into custody for ‘unlawful conduct’

What was meant to be a routine seafood dinner turned into a bizarre criminal case in Douglas County, Georgia. Abdul Hakeem Rasheed, a 26-year-old resident, was arrested after police say he faked a medical crisis and personally called emergency services in what investigators believe was an attempt to avoid paying his restaurant tab.

The incident, which took place at a local Red Lobster, has drawn attention because of the extreme lengths the diner allegedly went to over a bill totaling less than $64.

The bizarre chain of events unfolded on the evening of Sept. 24. According to People, an arrest affidavit obtained from the Douglas Police Department states that Rasheed was dining at the Red Lobster restaurant when it was time to settle his bill.

The fraudulent scheme can carry serious consequences

Rather than providing a standard method of payment, investigators allege that Rasheed came up with an exit strategy based on deception.

According to local authorities, Rasheed began showing signs of physical distress inside the restaurant, apparently to make it look like he was experiencing a sudden and serious medical episode. To further support the ruse, Rasheed personally placed an emergency call, telling dispatchers that he was in immediate need of medical attention.

However, arriving emergency responders and law enforcement officers quickly became suspicious of the situation. A deeper investigation by responding officers allegedly revealed that the reason for the emergency call was not a medical problem, but the unpaid bill sitting at Rasheed’s table. The total cost of the meal was exactly $63.77.

The following day, Friday, Sept. 25, Rasheed was taken into custody by the Douglas Police Department and booked into the local detention facility. Court records show that he is facing two misdemeanor charges related to the incident: theft of services and unlawful conduct during an emergency call.

The affidavit filed by investigators says Rasheed engaged in “unlawful conduct” during the emergency call “by deception and with intent to avoid payment.”

In Georgia, using the emergency response system for a non-emergency situation or as part of a fraudulent scheme can carry serious consequences. The law reflects concerns about emergency resources being diverted from people facing actual life-threatening situations.

His bond was set at $3,000

Following his booking, a judge set Rasheed’s bond at $3,000. Online jail records show that he has been unable to post the required amount and remains in custody at the Douglas County Jail.

While dine-and-dash incidents are a common headache for restaurant managers, allegedly fabricating a medical emergency takes the situation into a different territory because of the emergency response involved. Every ambulance or police cruiser sent to a false emergency is potentially unavailable for a genuine stroke, car accident, violent crime or another situation where someone actually needs help.

Representatives for Red Lobster and the Douglas Police Department have not yet released formal statements regarding the arrest. Rasheed’s initial court dates are expected to be scheduled in the coming weeks, where he will face the legal consequences of an alleged exit strategy that resulted in a $3,000 bond over a $63.77 dinner bill.