A Prada-clad accused dine-and-dash diva who targets a number of the metropolis’s priciest eateries openly posted Monday about hitting up two extra scorching 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 a whole lot of {dollars} in meals at high joints — then claiming to be an influencer keen to present them publicity in change for freebies, The Submit reported Sunday.
Chung was charged every time with theft of companies — 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 images 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 clothes so good — the best way she eats, orders meals — the best way she took images,” mentioned Pleasure Panics, the supervisor of stylish Sea Thai, the place Chung went Saturday evening.
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 cases.
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.
“Law enforcement officials 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 instructed The Submit 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 test 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, employees requested whether or not Chung wanted anything and requested fee, 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 employees 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 Road.
“She clothes so good,’’ Panics mentioned. “She had fur. Louis Vuitton bag. Good digicam. Every thing appears so superb on her.
“It’s not regular,’’ Panics mentioned of the scenario.
“Once I talked to her, she couldn’t hold 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 a variety of procuring baggage along with her … however they’re empty,’’ Panics mentioned. “She has a procuring bag from Gucci, however it’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 lengthen 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 a whole lot of {dollars} in meals, defrauding them, then posting on Instagram just like the restaurant employed her,” a supply had instructed The Submit.
“All her playing cards had been declined,” the supply mentioned.
At Peter Luger, a supervisor mentioned Chung disappeared into the toilet 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 test,” she requested a employee, based on the restaurant.
Regardless of the escalating arrests, Chung continued posting glowing meals pictures and florid critiques of the meals she allegedly by no means paid for.
“Every slice reveals a deep rose heart underneath a caramelized crust — a stability of char and tenderness perfected over many years,” 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
