Social media in China has been shocked by the actions of a Porsche driver who escaped at speed from a petrol station leaving behind an unpaid bill of 500 yuan (US$70).
The man was exposed online by a member of staff at a petrol station on a highway between central China’s Hubei and Shaanxi provinces, after he sped off on March 12.
According to a surveillance video, the man was driving a black US$75,000 Porsche car without a number plate, and had filled up his tank. He had been charged 502.29 yuan (US$70).
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Driving without a licence plate is outlawed in China.
New cars are allowed on the road after the driver applies for a temporary number plate, which is in the form of two papers to be pasted on the front and rear car windows.
The woman staff member, surnamed Song, who was the only person at work on the day of the incident, removed a barrier post in front of the man’s car out of habit before he paid, and rushed to serve the car behind him.
She was then shocked to see the man getting into the car and driving away without paying.
Song had to cover the payment herself because they were required to settle all the bills before shift change.
Song said she earned 2,800 yuan (US$390) last month, and has two daughters of school age to support.
On March 14, the petrol station’s manager told Fengmian News that the company had reimbursed Song.
Song posted the video online to search for the man and expressed her anger.
Four days after the incident, the police successfully tracked down the man in Shaanxi province in northwestern China.
The unidentified man tried to escape punishment by apologising to the police and transferring the money to the petrol station online, but the police insisted on calling him to the station.
The investigation into him is ongoing.
Failing to pay outstanding bills violates China’s Public Security Administration Punishments Law. Offenders can face a penalty of up to 1,000 yuan (US$140) and a detention for up to 15 days.
“The police should not only punish him for not paying but also for driving without a licence,” one online observer said.
“What was he thinking? He cannot possibly be able to escape, with all the high-resolution surveillance cameras and the police facial recognition technology,” another said.
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