SEASIDE, Oregon – Ryan L. Bensen, 40, of Beaverton, and Erica A. Manley, 37, of Cascade Locks, were reportedly so pleased with their service at a Seaside restaurant, they allegedly left the waitress an unusual tip: an envelope full of methamphetamine.

Seaside Police Chief Robert Gross said the couple first offered up a gift card to pay their bill and then later ponied up an envelope with a question mark scribbled on it. The waitress contacted police after finding a crystal-like substance inside the envelope which was later identified by officers as methamphetamine. 

“She [the waitress] was like ‘Whoa — what the …?'” said Steve Keszler, a manager at the downtown steakhouse. “We’re not a little dive bar or hole in the wall. We’re a classy place.”

Bensen and Manley were still at the classy place when police arrived. A search of Manley’s purse revealed a large quantity of methamphetamine.

After obtaining a search warrant, police combed through a room at the nearby Holiday Inn Express where both suspects had been staying, Gross said. Police uncovered a meth lab that included a small torch, batteries and other items, according to police. 

“While I should be shocked and surprised, it’s just another example of how dumb these users and dealers are,” Gross said. “The whole thing almost made me chuckle.”
Authorities charged Benson with possession and manufacture of methamphetamine and Manley with possessing, delivering and manufacturing meth. Both were transported to the Clatsop County Jail for arraignment and formal charges.