Waffle House tip theft suspect in court

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - A former waitress accused of stealing huge tips from customer’s credit cards pleaded not guilty at her arraignment Tuesday, March 19.

Natasha Riche was appointed a lawyer after she told the judge she didn't have a job, and had not worked in more than a month.

Riche was fired from the Waffle House on Highway 43 in Satsuma following the discovery of thousands of dollars in credit card thefts.

Prosecutors said Riche added tips ranging from $40 to $150 to customers credit cards. 

Riche didn't comment has she left the courtroom, but her lawyer entered a plea of not guilty.

"This has come to court based exclusively on the allegations of the state. Whether there's a defense to it, which I think there well might be, whether there are extenuating circumstances that might suggest a different outcome than what the state hopes for is something that I'll have to pursue," defense lawyer Selma Smith said.

Police have come up with more than 30 victims from the thefts at the Waffle House where Riche worked. One of the victims turns out to be Satsuma City Council member Matt Dial, and he was pretty surprised when detectives called him about his bill.

"Probably a bill of $18.90, and Detective Wally actually called me just a couple of weeks later and informed me that he thought I was a victim. I had not even reconciled a bank statement yet to realize that I was, but she actually ran it for $118.90," Dial said.

FOX10 News asked Dial if he even remembered the waitress.

"I do. It was great service, not a $100 tip service at Waffle House," he said.

If Riche is convicted, she could face up to 30 years in prison for the three charges.

Riche will be back in court for a preliminary hearing on April 23.