'She looked like she had money.' Serial dine-and-dasher hits high-end Williamsburg restaurants
Police arrested and charged 34-year-old Pei Chung five times for the same scheme at restaurants - at least nine times.
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Several Williamsburg restaurants say a woman has been dining and dashing her way through the neighborhood for weeks, ordering large meals, and refusing to pay.
Police arrested and charged 34-year-old Pei Chung five times for the same scheme at restaurants - at least nine times.
At Peter Luger Steak House, manager Michael Costa said the woman came in alone, dressed well and spoke softly. She stayed at the table for six hours, continuing to order food and take photos.
After she refused to pay the nearly $200 check, a manager called police, who handcuffed her and escorted her out. He added that she later tried to return to the restaurant several more times.
Many other restaurants along Broadway told News 12 they had nearly identical experiences.
At Patricia’s, a server said she ordered rib-eye steak and linguine and clams.
“When I brought the bill, she started taking pictures and said, ‘I don’t have money,’” he said.
The server also said she claimed to be an influencer.
Other owners who asked to stay anonymous said they only work with influencers when it’s arranged in advance.
Restaurant owners say she often packed the food into takeout containers before police arrived and took the containers with her when officers led her out.
Several business owners are now warning others in the area to be on the lookout. Costa said she appeared well-off when she walked in.
“She looked like she had money. She even had a fur coat on when she came in, that’s why I didn’t expect anything,” he said.
News 12 reached out to Chung but had not heard back from her as of Friday night.
