Supermodel Megan Gale and her AFL star partner Shaun Hampson’s Moonee Ponds restaurant Ascot Food + Wine has been targeted by thieves.
A 26-year-old man was caught allegedly searching through the restaurant, which is owned by the couple and chef David Stewart, on Friday about 8am.
Police were called to the venue and searched the man, and found coins, an iPad and beer in his possession, the Herald Sun reported.
He had allegedly broken into the building through a window and was charged with trespassing, criminal damage and theft.
The man has been bailed to attend the Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on June 11.
Supermodel Megan Gale (right) and her AFL star partner Shaun Hampson’s (left) Moonee Ponds restaurant Ascot Food + Wine has been targeted by thieves
Following the incident, David expressed his devastation on Saturday in an Instagram story.
‘It breaks my heart to learn that we were robbed again. I can’t wait for this year to be finally over. Let’s go 2024,’ he wrote.
It comes just months after the venue was damaged in a major fire in July.
Fire Rescue Victoria crews were called to the restaurant after fire broke out in the kitchen area.
A 26-year-old man was caught allegedly searching through the restaurant, which is owned by the couple and chef David Stewart, on Friday about 8am
Firefighters were able to contain the blaze within minutes, and emergency services confirmed the venue was unoccupied at the time of the fire.
Shaun announced at the time that his restaurant was no longer in operation, writing to Instagram: ‘After a serious fire, @ascotfoodandwine will unfortunately be closed until further notice.’
‘Apologies to anyone who had bookings. We’ll fill you in when we know more. Thanks for your continued support.’
The inferno came after the restaurant, which they opened in December 2017, was also targeted by thieves in February.
The offenders broke into the eatery and stole around $10-15,000 worth of liquor and $4000 cash, while leaving the office space in disarray.
The tip jar was also stolen.
It comes just months after the venue was shut indefinitely, after it was damaged in a major fire in July. Pictured Megan and Shaun with Dave Stewart (centre)
‘Hospitality is challenging enough and to get broken into, it wasn’t so much what was taken more the inconvenience it caused,’ Hampson told the Herald Sun at the time.
‘We are already short staffed and all of a sudden you have an office that’s turned upside down… it’s being kicked when the industry is already down.’
Chef and co-owner Dave told the publication he felt ‘violated’ by the ransacking.
