Qld man charged over dinner and dash

A man who dined on an expensive seafood dinner and dashed straight into the Gold Coast surf has faced court charged with stealing.

Terry Peck, 33, allegedly tucked into a $621 meal at Omeros Bros Seafood Restaurant on Sunday evening, including two lobster mornays, 21 oyster shooters, baby octopus and drinks.

But when it came time to pay the bill, Peck allegedly ran from staff straight into the surf at Main Beach.

Lifeguards then took police out on the back of jet skis to retrieve him from the water.

Officers allegedly attempted to negotiate with Peck to come back to shore but he refused, forcing them to jump in the sea to arrest him.

Peck faced Southport Magistrates Court on Monday charged with stealing and two counts of seriously assaulting a police officer.

He was released on bail and is due back in court on May 4.