Man skipped out on $572 restaurant bill in Huntington, Suffolk police say

Police are looking for a man who they said skipped out on an expensive bill last month at a popular Asian restaurant in Huntington — after agreeing to pick up the check.

Suffolk County police said the incident occurred June 20 at the T.O.A. Taste of Asia fusion restaurant at 369 New York Avenue, when a group of 16 people ordered food coming to a total of $1,022.53. Police said the group left approximately $450 in cash and that one man, pictured in surveillance photos in shorts, a short-sleeve shirt and sandals talking on his cellphone on the street outside, agreed to pay the remaining $572 — but then ran off before paying the tab.

Police are asking anyone who recognizes the man or who has information regarding the incident to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. Tipsters can also submit tips online at www.P3Tips.com or can use a mobile app, downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips.

All calls, text, messages and email will remain confidential, police said.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”