From a seat at the bar to behind bars. A homeless man in Reading was arrested Tuesday afternoon for racking up a costly tab that he couldn't pay for.
Shawn Golembiewski ordered more than $90 worth of food and drinks at the Ugly Oyster in center city, according to court documents.
"He ate oysters and crab legs, and the next course was filet," said owner Glenn Rigg. "During this, he had two margaritas, and he washed it all down with a snifter of Knob Creek."
When it came time to pay, the fine diner allegedly offered up just 40 cents.
"He said, 'That's all I got,' laughing. I said, 'Why would you do this to me?'" waitress Rachael Morinelli recalled to 69 News. Morinelli said she is a single mom trying to make ends meet.
Police were called and Golembiewski was arrested on theft charges.
According to court documents, he told investigators that this was not his first time ordering and consuming a meal without having the money to pay for it. He reportedly added that "food should be free for everybody."
Rigg said he may have offered Golembiewski a meal on the house, but within reason.
"I have, on many occasions over the years here, given out food to people that really needed something to eat," he said. "But you can tell when someone actually needs something. They're not asking for oysters and crab legs and filet. They're looking for anything."
"It's a little bit more understandable if somebody really doesn't have any money and they're ordering a burger and fries verses filet and seafood and expensive liquor," Morinelli said.
Golembiewski allegedly claimed it was his birthday, and he had hoped to have a special meal, but court documents revealed his birthday is actually months away.
Before the arrest, Golembiewski had been staying at City Light Ministries on North Ninth Street from time to time.
Joe Sclafani, director/pastor, said Golembiewski never caused any problems and seemed to hold jobs here and there.
"I know he's been working hard," said Sclafani. "Just seems like a good guy, I don't know. Sometimes people in desperate situations do desperate things. but this comes as a surprise to me."
Golembiewski had reportedly been staying at the shelter for about a month. Now, he is in the Berks County Jail on $10,000 bail.
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