A COUPLE suspected of stealing from a cafe tip jar and leaving their dogs in a hot car are reportedly accused of eating an £80 meal - and walking out without paying.

The pair were caught on CCTV allegedly stealing from the staff tip jar at Carats Cafe, Southwick, on Saturday.

Just hours before, the same two individuals were also involved in an incident in Madeira Drive, where police smashed a car window to rescue two dogs left in a cage in the blistering heat.

Now, they are alleged to have eaten a "large" £80 meal for four people at Harvester on Madeira Drive but then walked out without paying, according to a report.

The MailOnline said the family ordered the most expensive item on the menu - racks of slow-cooked ribs costing £20.49 for an adult portion.

After spending an hour eating the food, the pair allegedly became abusive to staff when it came time to pay and walked out.

A staff member told the MailOnline: "Yes, the same family came into our restaurant and spent an hour dining where they were absolutely horrible to staff.

"They ordered large ribs and had four meals but they were very abusive to staff, really horrible and then they got up and left without paying.

"The incident has been reported to police and CCTV has been handed over. It was definitely the same couple."

The man and woman remain under investigation after being interviewed over the theft Carats Cafe in Southwick, police say.

Superintendent Rachel Swinney said: “We are aware of the significant interest in this case, and I’d like to thank the public for coming forward with information.

“We are actively pursuing all lines of enquiry, and we will seek to identify if any further offences have been committed as our investigation continues.”