MIAMI (WSVN) - Police have taken a woman into custody accused of scamming a catering service and restaurants into believing she was an employee at local news stations, including 7News.
City of Miami Police identified 52-year-old Cadence Bryant as the woman who was captured on surveillance video in the middle of her ploy on May 15.
On Friday morning she was taken into custody and walked by news reporters belonging to some of the stations she pretended to be a part of in her scam.
She declined to comment when asked if she had anything to say to the caterer and restaurant owners she allegedly targeted.
Officials said Bryant had been ordering party platters from these businesses with no plans to pay.
“Detectives have been working this case for a while. Back in December of last year and May of this year this woman posed to be a member of the media and contacted different catering companies and alleged that she was a member of the media,” said City of Miami Police Officer Kiara Delva.
Yadira Perez from Zubi Fish House in Little Haiti said her restaurant was one of those businesses.
“Yep, that’s her,” she said after seeing video of the suspect.
Perez described Bryant as a skilled scammer.
“She had a really good storyline,” she said.
Perez said Bryant told her she worked for 7News, which was footing the bill for the food.
Investigators said Bryant asked another caterer to lend her $200 for party supplies needed for an event at a news station. On May 15, the victim was told to go to a different TV station to be reimbursed.
After driving 15 miles, the station told the victim there was no event.
Surveillance video from the 99 Cents Store at Northwest 11th Avenue and 54th Street in Liberty City captured the suspect carrying what police said were bags filled with food orders.
A 7News Investigates that aired Dec. 11 was the first to expose the alleged scam. In the story, Perez and the Harry Sinclair with Butter Flakes Bakery & Grill in Tamarac said they were directed to the station to pick up payment for large food orders, only to find out they had been duped.
“Through investigative means, detectives were able to finally identify who this woman was,” said Delva. “Detectives were able to work a very thorough investigation, and we’re glad to finally report that we were able to locate her and apprehend her.”
Bryant was charged with scheming to defraud and petty theft. Police said she has a long criminal history.
“She’s now going to be placed behind bars where she belongs,” said Delva.
“I’m glad she’s in custody. We are all small businesses, and we work really hard every day to make money for someone like this to just come in and rob you for nothing,” said Perez.
A business owner in Broward said he recognizes Bryant and claimed she scammed him as well. Authorities are investigating whether she is also connected with this case.
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