Accused Dine-and-Dasher Makes Court Appearance

Randy Nelson, the internet-famous man accused of being a serial dine-and-dasher, was back in court Monday, asking to have his bail reduced. 

Nelson, 57, of Clarksburg is accused of skipping out on his tabs at Outback Steakhouse, El Salto and Buffalo Wild Wings in Baltimore County. He is charged with multiple counts of theft of less than $100 and is being held on $2,500 bail. Nelson attended the hearing in Baltimore County Circuit Court via video.

“Unfortunately, I became familiar with him just by opening my Facebook app three weeks ago,” Assistant State’s Attorney Dylan Gerry told Judge Garret Glennon at the hearing Monday. “I think every media outlet and restaurant in the area had posted his picture in an attempt to identify him.”

Nelson is also charged in three cases in Harford County with theft, disorderly conduct, obstructing and hindering and resisting arrest, according to court records.

Gerry said a video making its rounds on the internet allegedly shows Nelson flipping a table at Hightopps Backstage Grille in Timonium. No charges have been filed in that case, he said.

Assistant Public Defender Coriolanus Ferrusi told the judge that Nelson has worked for several months at different jobs including Weis Markets and ES3 Foods but could not pay his $2,500 bail. He asked that it be reduced and Nelson be put on pretrial release.

Gerry detailed Nelson’s criminal record, which, he said, includes DUI, indecent exposure, stalking and domestic violence. Some of the charges are from South Carolina and Pennsylvania, Gerry said.

“This is somebody that goes across state lines and commits crimes and truly is the definition of a public nuisance," Gerry said.

 Glennon opted to keep Nelson’s bail unchanged.

“Given that history, I have no faith that you would abide by any order," Glennon said. "I’m concerned if you would show up for trial or not.”