A Prada-clad accused dine-and-dash diva who targets among the metropolis’s priciest eateries openly posted Monday about hitting up two extra sizzling spots over the weekend — whereas mocking cops for tossing her leftovers.
Alleged serial eat-it-and-beat-it foodie Pei Chung, 34, of Brooklyn had already been busted 5 occasions since late October for ordering tons of of {dollars} in meals at high joints — then claiming to be an influencer prepared to present them publicity in trade for freebies, The Publish reported Sunday.
Chung was charged every time with theft of providers — crimes that aren’t bail-eligible — and freed.
The alleged scammer, who prances round Instagram in Prada heels with Louis Vuitton purses and Hermes belts, then posted contemporary pictures Monday from two extra alleged dash-and-dine visits to Williamsburg eating places Friday into Saturday — after she was busted for them.
“She appears regular as a result of she attire so good — the best way she eats, orders meals — the best way she took pictures,” mentioned Pleasure Panics, the supervisor of stylish Sea Thai, the place Chung went Saturday night time.
Chung ended up flaunting the dear dishes of filet strips, shrimp and pasta she ordered whereas at Sea Thai and the Misi eatery earlier than police busted her once more in each situations.
The NYPD mentioned that Friday, Chung strolled into the Italian restaurant Misi at 329 Kent Ave. round 5:26 p.m., ordered a meal price $100 after which refused to pay.
The following night, she hit Sea Thai at 114 N. sixth St. round 6:45 p.m., ordered $123 in meals and once more refused to pay, triggering her second arrest of the weekend, police mentioned.
Chung mocked the cops in her Instagram captions.
“Cops threw out my takeout delicacies once more which I organized them within the bar like a professional,’’ she wrote.
“I don’t thoughts in the event that they get pleasure from persevering with my takeout delicacies or order extra meals to share.”
Panics informed The Publish she instantly suspected one thing was off when Chung settled into the restaurant for hours Saturday.
“She was right here by herself, she ordered a bunch of meals. The examine got here to $120-something,” the supervisor mentioned.
She mentioned Chung — who lives in a luxurious tower on close by Kent Avenue –spent about three hours on the desk whereas repeatedly photographing her dishes.
When her desk was wanted for incoming reservations, workers requested whether or not Chung wanted anything and requested cost, Panics mentioned.
“She left the desk and spent half-hour within the rest room. We needed to knock, open the door,’’ the supervisor mentioned.
“It appeared like she didn’t have cash. She gave us three or 4 bank cards. All of them didn’t have cash.”
Clients at close by tables began to acknowledge her from a earlier media report and alerted workers that she was the identical girl accused of eating and dashing at different eating places, Panics mentioned.
The restaurant’s safety guard then contacted police.
Chung claimed to the cops that she couldn’t fork up the dough for the meals “as a result of the federal government didn’t pay again her tax,” Panics mentioned.
The supervisor mentioned the scene was surreal as a result of Chung had arrived wearing fur, carrying a Louis Vuitton bag and utilizing skilled digicam gear.
The accused fraudster filmed herself apparently earlier within the day posing for the digicam whereas making an attempt on designer duds, saying her Saturday “duties” included trying out the Hermes luxurious retailer on North Sixth Avenue.
“She attire so good,’’ Panics mentioned. “She had fur. Louis Vuitton bag. Good digicam. Every thing appears so high quality on her.
“It’s not regular,’’ Panics mentioned of the state of affairs.
“Once I talked to her, she couldn’t preserve eye contact with me. When the officer requested, ‘How are you going to pay the invoice?’ she requested the officer, ‘Have you ever ever paid tax? Do you’re employed for the federal government? Are you able to give me a tax return?’
“She has lots of buying baggage along with her … however they’re empty,’’ Panics mentioned. “She has a buying bag from Gucci, but it surely’s an empty bag.
“When the officer got here and checked her stuff, she solely had a to-go meals bag.”
Chung’s weekend arrests prolong an alleged crime spree that started in late October, when eating places together with the Michelin-starred Francie, Lavender Lake, Motorino and Peter Luger mentioned Chung posed as a meals influencer full with a lighting setup earlier than allegedly dashing on hefty tabs.
“She’s going into established eating places dressed to the nines, racking up tons of of {dollars} in meals, defrauding them, then posting on Instagram just like the restaurant employed her,” a supply had informed The Publish.
“All her playing cards had been declined,” the supply mentioned.
At Peter Luger, a supervisor mentioned Chung disappeared into the lavatory for 45 minutes earlier than allegedly providing sexual favors to wipe her $146 invoice.
“Is there anything I can do for you as a result of I don’t wish to pay this examine,” she requested a employee, based on the restaurant.
Regardless of the escalating arrests, Chung continued posting glowing meals images and florid critiques of the meals she allegedly by no means paid for.
“Every slice reveals a deep rose heart beneath a caramelized crust — a stability of char and tenderness perfected over a long time,” she wrote in a weblog entry about Peter Luger, including, “The fats melts like silk, carrying the essence of oak and iron from the grill.”
Chung didn’t reply to requests for remark. Her public defender declined remark.
-Further reporting by Kyle Schnitzer
