The manager of high-end ice cream shop Blue Pig and adjacent eateries catering to Brooklyn Heights parents and hipsters was busted for double-dipping on customers’ credit cards, allegedly pocketing $25,000 in stolen cash, law-enforcement sources said.
Dan Kaufman, who also operates three other gourmet spots on Henry Street at Cranberry Street in the tony neighborhood, surrendered to cops at 9 a.m.
Kaufman is touted by the neighborhood association as one of its most civic-minded merchants for his stewardship of Busy Chef shop, Oven pizza place and Wine Bar.
But sources said he took credit card slips from Wine Bar and Oven, and then ran them through again at his Busy Chef stores and an outlet on Court Street, pocketing the dough.
The sources said a tip led cops to investigate. Some of the transactions were as high as $7,000, but most were smaller. There were 24 alleged victims of the greed.
“He has certainly made an effort to be part of the community, and be supportive of causes,” said Brooklyn Heights Association executive director Judy Stanton. “I am really surprised.”