Ep 5. Oktobertheft

In the fifth episode of the fifth season of Mystery Diners, titled Oktobertheft, the team is called to investigate a Bavarian-themed restaurant in California. The owner, Hans, suspects that one of his employees is stealing from him, and he wants to catch the culprit before he loses any more money. To do this, he enlists the help of Charles Stiles and his team of undercover diners.

When the Mystery Diners arrive at the restaurant, they are immediately struck by the festive decor and lively atmosphere. The waitstaff is dressed in traditional German attire, and the menu features all the classic Bavarian dishes, from sausages and sauerkraut to schnitzel and spätzle. Hans introduces himself to the team and explains the situation: he has noticed a discrepancy in his cash drawer and suspects that one of his servers is pocketing the money. He has set up a hidden camera to capture footage of the theft, but so far he hasn't been able to identify the thief.

To get a better sense of the restaurant's operations, the Mystery Diners go undercover as customers. They order a variety of dishes and drinks and observe the waitstaff as they interact with other diners. They also take note of any suspicious behavior, like furtive glances or unusual movements.

As the evening progresses, the team starts to notice some red flags. One of the servers, Ingrid, seems particularly nervous and jumpy, and she keeps disappearing into the kitchen for long stretches of time. Another server, Klaus, is overly friendly and talkative, and he spends a lot of time hovering around the cash register. The Mystery Diners begin to suspect that one or both of these employees might be involved in the theft.

To gather more evidence, Charles sends in Allysa, one of his most seasoned undercover operatives. She poses as a new server and quickly ingratiates herself with the rest of the staff. She keeps a close eye on Ingrid and Klaus, watching for any signs of suspicious behavior.

Before long, Allysa begins to uncover some startling facts. Ingrid has been stealing from Hans for weeks, pocketing small amounts of cash whenever she has the chance. She has also been using her position to steal table orders and send them to her own friends instead of the kitchen, pocketing the cash from those orders as well. But the real shocker comes when Klaus is revealed to be Ingrid's accomplice. He has been helping her to cover up her thefts and even taking a cut of the profits for himself.

When Charles and his team confront the two servers with the evidence they have gathered, both Ingrid and Klaus are visibly shaken. They try to deny any wrongdoing, but the camera footage tells a different story. In the end, both employees are fired on the spot, and Hans promises to revamp his hiring practices to prevent future thefts from happening.

As the Mystery Diners pack up their gear and prepare to leave, they reflect on the case they have just solved. Once again, they have been able to help a struggling restaurant owner identify and root out a serious problem. With their skills and expertise, they have ensured that Oktobertheft's customers will be able to enjoy their authentic German cuisine without fear of being ripped off.