IQALUIT - An off-duty RCMP officer dining at Iqaluit's Frobisher Inn got more excitement than he bargained for when another customer refused to pay, according to police.

The officer stepped in to assist staff after the customer began to cause a disturbance at the restaurant at 6:45 p.m. on July 24, according to a press release issued by the RCMP.

The customer allegedly refused to pay his dinner bill; at the time of the incident the restaurant's debit machine was not working.

While intervening, the officer was assaulted, stated the release. An adult male customer was arrested, during which a struggle began between the officer and the man, according to RCMP.

As a result, the Iqaluit detachment was then notified and arrived to take custody of the man, who did pay his dinner bill before leaving the scene.

RCMP Sgt. Peter Pilgrim said attempted dine-and-dashes do happen often in the city, "but not as much in the North as this (incident) makes it out to be."

Normally, it rests on the business owner to get an uncooperative customer to pay, he added.

"If the person doesn't pay then they (the business owner) can choose to call the police and deal with it through the courts," Pilgrim said.

But it's not up to the RCMP to get the customer to fork over the cash - that decision lies with the court. Or a collection agency.

"It's a business and it's their money, if they don't want to call to recoup their money - and we're not a collection agency - but if they don't want to follow through with the court process it's up to the restaurant, store, or whatever to recoup their money," Pilgrim said.

There are several charges pending against the Frobisher Inn customer: assaulting a peace officer, resisting arrest and causing a disturbance.

A court date has yet to be set for the individual facing charges.