Man charged after demanding free crabs in Rehoboth Beach
A Millsboro man was charged July 2 after police say he went to a Rehoboth Beach restaurant and demanded a free bushel of crabs, while insinuating he had a gun.
Teliam J. Austin, 20, went to Claws Seafood House in the second block of Rehoboth Avenue about 3 p.m. and approached three female employees asking for a free bushel of crabs, said Lt. Jaime Riddle of the Rehoboth Beach Police Department.
Austin then lifted up his shirt to show what appeared to be the handle of a firearm in his waistband while demanding the women give him a bushel of free crabs, Riddle said. One of the women told police Austin had done this before, Riddle said, and Austin walked away laughing with no crabs. The women, however, were fearful that the firearm was real, Riddle said.
Police later located Austin and found a black and red “splat gun” that resembles a pistol in his front waistband, Riddle said.
No one was injured during the incident. Austin was charged with three counts of felony aggravated menacing, but later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor menacing in Sussex County Court of Common Pleas. He received probation before judgement and fines.
