Arrested 7 times: Why Williamsburg's serial dine-and-dasher keeps getting released
Despite being arrested at least seven times and repeatedly charged with theft of services, Chung continues to be released each time.
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The woman who’s become notorious for dining and dashing her way through Williamsburg hasn’t slowed down.
Staff at spots like Maison Premiere, Hole in the Wall and Salt + Charcoal say 34-year-old Pei Chung has been showing up dressed well, sitting alone, ordering big meals and then refusing to pay. Some staff say they recognized her after her pictures had been going viral on social media.
Tom Rowse, the founder of Hole in the Wall, told News 12 that Chung ordered “a fantastic array of food” and even stayed for hours after workers confronted her.
Despite being arrested at least seven times and repeatedly charged with theft of services, Chung continues to be released each time.
According to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, prosecutors have asked a judge several times to hold her on bail. But each time, the judge has released her under supervision.
Defense attorneys say that’s because of how New York’s bail laws work.
Robert Tsigler, an attorney not involved in Chung's case, says theft of services is a non-violent misdemeanor that doesn’t put the community at risk. He says that most misdemeanors simply aren’t eligible for bail.
To change that, Jen Peters, another lawyer not involved in the case, says prosecutors would have to meet two requirements.
"They need to show that a person has been arrested for a misdemeanor, has been released on that misdemeanor under non-monetary conditions, and has been arrested again on a misdemeanor. And both of those misdemeanors have to have an identifiable harm to a person or property,” Peters said.
They’d also have to show the defendant is a flight risk.
Under the law, restaurant meals are considered a service, not property, Tsigler said. That makes it tougher for prosecutors to argue that a business is being harmed in a way that fits the legal definition needed for bail.
And to qualify for a felony, “they would need to use a stolen credit card,” Tsigler added. "Or an argument could be made if they purchase an item over $1,000, like a bottle of wine, they could be charged with grand larceny, which is a felony.”
In the meantime, restaurant staff keep warning others not to serve Chung. Some are even considering getting a restraining order.
News 12 also found court records showing Chung owes more than $40,000 in back rent for her Williamsburg apartment.
