The case centers on a repeated offender known as Antonio Miguel Grimal, a man described by authorities as a professional at leaving bars and restaurants without paying for drinks. He was apprehended again yesterday in Zaragoza around 8 a.m. by a routine patrol of the National Police. Officers happened to encounter him at the Kiko bar on Calle Rioja, a place where he has been seen during past visits. He was taken into custody immediately after officers confirmed the individual matched a security-issue description and a warrant for his arrest was verified. The incident added another mark to a long list of formal warrants tied to his name.
The 47-year-old Spaniard was presented before the duty judge, who ordered a sentence of 30 days in prison. The ruling effectively ends his recent freedom in Zuera, as he is now detained while his period is resolved. The decision signifies a transition from alleged pattern behavior to a formal custodial consequence for the moment, with potential implications for any ongoing or upcoming cases.
Earlier in the year, Grimal was detained again at the end of March after attempting to leave without paying for a drink at the Goiko Grill hamburger restaurant on Calle San Miguel. The total due amounted to 47.50 euros, a sum that reflected not only the base prices but also additional items reportedly acquired during the visit. The incident fed into a larger narrative about a recurring modus operandi that has drawn attention from local authorities and business owners alike.
a pattern emerges
When the time came to settle the bill, Grimal opted not to pay. Instead, he reportedly tried to extend the engagement by ordering cigarettes for fellow diners at neighboring tables. The waiter, noticing these unusual moves, stepped in and confronted him, at which point Grimal claimed he had no money on him. In an uneasy moment, he left behind an unworn vest, raising questions about preparedness and intent.
The waiter quickly alerted 092, and within minutes a patrol arrived. Grimal is said to have greeted the officers with the line that he was familiar to them, yet claimed uncertainty about who they were, a retort that underscored the tension of the encounter and the alleged pattern behind his actions.
Grimal has a documented history of similar incidents, with nearly 30 arrests recorded since 2016. In addition to the more recent episodes, he faced another notable escape in 2017 after dining at a hotel and attempting to avoid payment. The hotelier realized the accounts were unsettled and contacted the National Police to intervene, leading to another formal action against him.
A patrol later located him at the Tagliatella pizzeria in Plaza Emperador Carlos. Upon confirmation that he had no intention of paying and that there were doubts about his place of residence or a reliable address, police proceeded with his arrest and planned future appearances before the judicial authority as required.
detention and consequences
As a result of these events, the court concluded that Grimal would be remanded in custody for a minor fraud offense. The sequence of episodes suggests a recurring struggle over payment and accountability in dining-out scenarios, with each instance contributing to a larger pattern that authorities continue to monitor. The financial figures involved in these cases often appear modest in isolation—ranging from small sums to tens of euros—but add up when the full history is considered, highlighting a broader impact on business owners and service staff who must manage similar risks.
Observers note that some restaurant owners may choose not to report every incident, especially during peak hours when staff are stretched thin. In such environments, a pattern like Grimal’s can be difficult to detect in real time, and not every offense results in formal charges or arrest. Nevertheless, the accumulation of episodes over several years has created a recognizable profile for law enforcement and the hospitality industry alike, prompting ongoing discussion about prevention, evidence gathering, and timely intervention.