A 70-year-old Texas restaurateur was left battered after a group of customers attacked him and fled without paying their food bill.
Sergio Alberto Vasquez, owner of Cheko’s Mexican Restaurant & Bar in Austin, was called by his staff on April 28 after three people, believed to be two men and a woman, were causing problems at the restaurant.
Vasquez quickly arrived at the restaurant, confronted the group about their behavior and asked what had happened.
The distraught owner later said the trio said they didn’t like the food and weren’t going to pay for it.
Sergio Alberto Vásquez was allegedly attacked by three people, believed to be two men and a woman, after he confronted them for not paying his food bill on April 28.
Vasquez later said, “At the same time, I took out my phone so I could take pictures of their license plates, and when one of the guys saw me going to take a picture, he got out of the car and started hitting me.”
Customers ran out of the restaurant as soon as they saw Vasquez being attacked.
Footage also shows the trio smashing plates on the floor before finally leaving the restaurant.
To keep the peace, Vásquez said there was “no problem,” but that they should leave immediately.
But before they leave, footage shows the trio smashing plates on the floor.
Vasquez said KVUE in Spanish, ‘I wanted to make sure they left so they wouldn’t cause any more damage to the restaurant.
“At the same time, I took out my phone so I could take photos of their license plates, and when one of the guys saw that I was going to take a photo, he got out of the car and started hitting me.”
The elderly man claims his phone was thrown and the group outside beat him until other customers saw the attack and ran to his aid.
The images also show the trio attacking one of the customers who came out to help Vásquez.
The incident occurred at Cheko’s Mexican Restaurant & Bar in Austin.
The Austin Police Department (APD) is investigating the case and has not yet identified any suspects.
‘I appreciate them so much that they came out to defend me because if it hadn’t been for them, I wouldn’t be sitting here right now talking.
‘I feel very bad about what happened, my clients who have been coming here for years, those who were here, I apologize. It’s not what I wanted,’ Vásquez said.
Their daughter, María Vásquez, later posted the images on Facebook in an effort to find the trio.
‘It’s sad how people are so disrespectful and abusive. My father has worked for years!! He has given life and soul to keep Chekos Mexican Restaurant & Bar running. I also ask the public if they have any information about this incident or where those people are located, please contact Austin Police.
“We’re so glad things haven’t gotten worse. Please pray for my dad! And if you ever see something, help us and say something! If that customer hadn’t tried to help my dad, who knows what would have happened.
‘I know my father is hurt and distraught. But he says that he is strong and that he is working. But no one should be treated that way!’ she wrote in the mail.
The Austin Police Department (APD) is investigating the case and has not yet identified any suspects.