Oakland's Most Wanted Arrested at SF Steak House

NBC Bay Area ^ | Friday, Nov 16, 2012 | Chris Roberts

[nickcarraway]

A multistate search for an Oakland gang member ended in a San Francisco steak house.

Ronnie Flenaugh's mistake? Going out to eat. That, and gang violence.

The 20-year old was wanted by Oakland police in connection to a string of gang-related shootings, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. He was on Officer Ernesto Leyva, Jr.'s mind -- and on Thursday night at about 10 p.m., he walked into Ruth's Chris Steakhouse on Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco, where Leyva was having dinner.

Leyva excused himself and contacted his colleagues, who arrived to arrest Flenaugh as he was having dinner with 11 other people, the newspaper reported.

Some of Flenaugh's group also tried to excuse themselves without paying after their friend was arrested, but luckily, there were plenty of cops on hand. "We made them go back in and pay," said an Oakland police spokesman. "This guy was easily our number one fugitive in Oakland."

And Oakland police had to go to two several cities, east and west, to get him: about an hour before he was arrested in San Francisco, Oakland cops raided a home in Las Vegas looking for him, the newspaper reported.

[nickcarraway]

Eating in a steakhouse didn't work for Paul Castellano, either.

[Red_Devil 232]

I don’t know why but my very fist thought was that it was a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. Why is that?

[JimRed]

I don’t know why but my very fist thought was that it was a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. Why is that?

Well, the steaks are very good, and even if you've never bben to one, you've heard of them.

[NotSoFreeStater]

I guess cops are doing OK that they can eat at Ruth’s Chris. Not the most expensive place but not cheap either.

[NotSoFreeStater]

I guess cops are doing OK that they can eat at Ruth’s Chris. Not the most expensive place but not cheap either.

[Red_Devil 232]

Yes I have been to one, once. Never again the steak was very good, as you say, but if you wanted any sides they were all charged extra and just as expensive as the steak! My wife said never again!

[paul51]

My thought also. Life is good for the ‘public servants’

[GSP.FAN]

Cause you listen to Hannity perhaps?

[Red_Devil 232]

Nope not a Rush listener at the time! Went to one with another couple one evening many, many years ago and all of us were shocked at the final Bill!

[LibWhacker]

I was thinking House of Prime Rib (HPR). Shows how long it's been since I lived in SF when HPR used to be pretty high up there on any list of desirable steakhouses. Now it barely makes the top ten, according to one list I just looked at.

I've been in that Ruth's Chris. Used to be a really nice place and the steaks were out of this world. Must be going the way of Red Lobster, once fairly decent, now crappy with a crappier clientele. Wouldn't go there if you paid me.

Props to officer Leyva, outstanding! At least to someone like me, who admittedly doesn't know beans about law enforcement, it certainly seems to me as outstanding (but perhaps any cop could've done the same thing and would've been equally alert and on his toes?).

[rockinqsranch]

Agree. About fifteen years ago my wife’s Cousin’s took us to a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in the Palm Desert area. I made a bit of a scene to put it mildly about the prices. My GOSH! As you say everything was extra, and expensive. I told the Cousins it wasn’t worth it. My wife kicked me under the table, and we went ahead, and ate there, but never again.

Haven’t seen them since either.

[GSP.FAN]

Sean Hannity is always advertising it on his show and yes he said it’s not cheap but the best steak around.
When i read “steak house”it popped right into my head.Ruth’s...

[null and void]

Agreed, it is a good once in a life time experience.

[editor-surveyor]

Went only once, and never will again.

The steak would have been ok if they knew how to cook one, but all they know is burn, burn, burn. Too much fire, left the burned kerosene-like taste on the meat, and the prices were absurd I’ve had far better meat at Outback, and Claim Jumper for less than half the price.

The place had zero atmosphere too (Plaza Escuela, Walnut Creek) lots of noise, getting bumped by the staff and the customers constantly due to the narrow spaces between the tables. Walnut Creek has way too many better places with great atmosphere, and smarter prices to ever go back there.

[irishjuggler]

I guess cops are doing OK that they can eat at Ruth’s Chris. Not the most expensive place but not cheap either.

Welcome to the Obama/Democrat economy. Public employees and gang members (who look like Obama's sons if he had sons) dine on $50 steaks while small business owners get the shaft.

[EDINVA]

Cops and thugs live well in SF, don’t they?

[WVKayaker]

Went to one with another couple one evening many, many years ago and all of us were shocked at the final Bill!

I don't go there, because I have a good butcher and a great Weber 3-burner.

BUT, back in the 90's, I was dating a nurse, who worked for a heart surgeon. He invited us out with he and his wife. We were told to meet at 6pm the next evening and he would drive. (That is when I found out that big Benz's have reclining back seats!)

We met at the appointed time and drove for an hour or so. He took us to the Inn at Little Washington (VA). We had a fine dinner, multiple courses with wine, wine, and more wine. He was buying, so I went with the flow. It flowed from $240-380 bottles of vino! The prix fixe deal was $150 per...

At the end of the night, the bill (including tip) was over $2300! He's a popular (and good) surgeon!!!

Reservations are accepted up to 1 year in advance. Dinner is $158 per person Monday through Thursday. On Friday and Sunday the dinner price is $168 per person and on Saturday dinner is $188 per person. These prices - which may vary on holidays and special events - exclude tax, gratuity and beverage. If you require immediate assistance or would prefer to make a reservation by phone, please contact our reservations office directly at 1-540-675-3800. Please note that if there is limited or no availability additional seats may be open and can be booked by contacting our Reservations Department.

[bert]

I am of the opinion he was steaking out the party of 11 bangers who had a reservation. The restaurant may have called the cops in advance to check out the bad guys

[Inyo-Mono]

Boy, looking at the picture you posted, not much food for all that money. I’d still be hungrey after eating that.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

A lot of steak houses are Sous Vide cooking their steaks in advance, then just searing them prior to serving. It makes a lot of sense, because they are cooked right every time, have a lot better flavor and odor, and waste is a lot lower.

http://www.seriouseats.com/2010/03/how-to-sous-vide-steak.html