Moment dine-and-dash customers attack 70 year-old restaurateur after refusing to pay for food because they didn't like it and smashing plates on floor

A 70-year-old Texas restaurateur was left battered after a group of customers attacked him and ran away 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 one woman, were causing problems at the eatery. 

Sergio quickly arrived at the restaurant, confronted the group about their behavior and asked what had happened.

The distressed owner later said that the trio complained they did not like the food and were not going to pay for it. 

To maintain the peace, Sergio said it was 'no problem,' but they needed to leave immediately.

But before ultimately leaving, footage shows the trio smashing plates on the floor. 

Sergio told KVUE in Spanish, 'I wanted to make sure they left so they didn't cause any more damage in the restaurant. 

'At the same time, I took out my phone so I can take photos of their license plates, and when one of the guys saw me going to take a photo, he got out of the car and started hitting me.'

The elderly man claims that his phone was thrown away and he was being punched by the group outside until other customers saw the attack and ran to his aid. 

Sergio Alberto Vasquez, was allegedly attacked by three people, believed to be two men and one woman after he confronted them for not paying their food bill on April 28 

After the diners started smashing plates, Vasquez later said: 'At the same time, I took out my phone so I can take photos of their license plates, and when one of the guys saw me going to take a photo, he got out of the car and started hitting me'

Customers ran outside the eatery as soon as they saw Sergio being attacked 

Footage also shows the trio smashing plates on the restaurant floor after they were confronted by the elderly man

Footage also shows the trio attacking one of the customers who came out to help Sergio.  

'I appreciate them so much that they came out to defend me because had it not been for them, I wouldn't be sitting here right now talking. 

'I feel so bad over what happened -- my clients who have come here for years -- the ones that were here, I give them my apologies. It's not what I wanted,' said Sergio.

Daughter Maria Vasquez told DailyMail.com that the trio had ordered a round of margaritas and mini tacos along with chips and salsa. 

She further said that two of the suspects finished their meals but the third one sent their plate back after eating almost half of their meal. 

Maria also confirmed that they had finished their round of drinks, wiped off their chips and ran away before paying their nearly $60 bill. 

The incident happened at Cheko's Mexican Restaurant & Bar in Austin

The moderately priced dinery has served Mexican food for more than a decade

Cheko's Mexican Restaurant & Bar is well-loved among customers for its well-sized portions 

The Austin Police Department (APD) is investigating the case and  has not identified any suspects yet

Maria also later posted the footage on Facebook in an effort to find the trio. 

'It's sad how people are so disrespectful & abusive. my father has worked he's butt off for years!! Has given he's life and soul to keep Chekos Mexican Restaurant & Bar going. I also ask the public if you have any information about this incident or lead to who those people where please please reach out to Austin PD. 

'We're very blessed that things didn't get worse. Pray for my father please! And if you ever see something please help & say something! If that customer hadn't tried to help my father, who knows what would of happened. 

'I know my father is hurting & tired. But he says he's strong & he's working. But no person should be treated that way!' she wrote on the post. 

The Austin Police Department (APD) is investigating the case and has not identified any suspects yet.