Kozhikode (Kerala) | A restaurant was allegedly vandalised by a three-member gang after they refused to pay for the food they consumed, police said on Sunday.

Police officials said one person has been taken into custody and that a search is underway to locate the other two accused.

The incident occurred at Aliyans Hotel, a fast food restaurant located opposite MIMS Hospital in Kozhikode, at around 9.30 pm on Saturday.

According to police, the three-member gang reached the hotel and consumed food worth around Rs 600.

When the hotel employees presented the bill, the accused allegedly refused to pay, claiming that no restaurants in the area accepted their money, an official said.

Following a verbal altercation, the accused allegedly vandalised the restaurant using an iron rod, damaging the display board and a glass almirah in which food items were kept, police said.

An employee of the restaurant, identified as Shahanad, sustained injuries in the attack.

Police officials said the total damage to the hotel, which had recently started operations, is estimated at around Rs 1.2 lakh.

When police reached the spot, the employee and others managed to detain one of the accused, while the remaining two fled.

Medical College police on Sunday registered a case and initiated an investigation.

Officials said the formal arrest of the person taken into custody will be recorded soon.

The other two accused have been identified and efforts are on to apprehend them.

Police added that the accused have been involved in multiple criminal cases in the past.