A food influencer has been banned from several restaurants in New York City after she was caught in an alleged dine-and-dash scheme.
Police said that Pei Chung has been caught ordering food at restaurants and then refusing to pay the bill at six spots in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Williamsburg, according to NBC News. The outlet added that Chung, 34, allegedly tried the same scheme at a restaurant called Francie twice.
Chung has been arrested a total of six times for the theft of services, while she has been released each time.
She previously visited famous steakhouse Peter Luger steakhouse in October. An employee told NBC New York that she ordered nearly $150 worth of steak, sides and dessert for herself.
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While Chung gave the restaurant a glowing review on her food blog, the employee said that the restaurant’s waiters found it strange that she spent hours at Peter Luger before she was presented with the bill and said she couldn’t pay. In addition to refusing to pay, the waiter said she tried to barter with items she had in her bags.
The employees ultimately called the cops and Chung was escorted out of the restaurant. However, the employee said she returned to Peter Luger the next day and was quickly recognized by the staff.
Police said that Chung’s crimes continued on November 15 when she dined at the Thai restaurant Sea and ordered more than $100 worth of food.
In surveillance footage provided by the restaurant, Chung was seen talking to the staff as security guards stood near the exit. After a waitress said that all of Chung’s credit cards were declined, the employees called the police. A staff member also provided cell phone footage that showed Chung being handcuffed by officers.
Additionally, one employee at the Williamsburg restaurant 12 Chairs Café told NBC New York that someone who matched Chung’s description ordered food on Monday, November 17, and refused to pay. However, the staff chose to not call the police and let her go.
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Chung – who currently has more than 20,000 followers on Instagram – has not publicly commented on her arrests. However, she has remained active on social media and posted several photos of food via her Instagram Stories as recently as Tuesday, November 18.
She is scheduled to appear in court later in November and will be represented by a public defender, per NBC News.
