A Massachusetts restaurant owner allegedly beat two teenage dine-and-dashers and pointed a gun at a larger group that gathered after he chased the pair down when they skipped out on their bill last week, authorities said.
uncertain
authorities → beat → bill
Nadim Kashouh, 62, chased the teens – a 17-year-old girl and Javonnie Lee, 18 – after the pair darted out of Nadim’s Downtown Mediterranean Grill on Friday evening without paying their $92.40 bill, the Boston Globe reported.
asserted
Globe → chase → bill
Kashouh reportedly chased the teens and caught them at a convenience store.
uncertain
Kashouh → chase → store
The teens reportedly told the police that they tried to pay their tab twice but bolted after their card was declined both times, according to the newspaper.
uncertain
card → tell → newspaper
Kashouh, an immigrant from Lebanon who came to the United States in 1990, allegedly grabbed the girl's phone and demanded they pay.
uncertain
they → come → phone
He then elbowed the girl and punched Lee in the face, the Springfield Police Department said.
asserted
Department → elbow → face
"As a larger group gathered, Kashouh is alleged to have pointed his firearm in the direction of the group.
asserted
Kashouh → gather → group
Kashouh stated he did so in self-defense," police spokesperson Ryan Walsh said, according to WMTV.
uncertain
Walsh → state → WMTV
Walsh said Kashouh's firearm and his license to carry permit were seized.
asserted
firearm → say → permit
He is charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, armed robbery with a firearm, and assault and battery.
asserted
He → charge → firearm
Meanwhile, the two teens will be issued criminal complaints for defrauding a restaurant.
asserted
teens → issue → restaurant
Kashouh appeared in court earlier this week, according to his restaurant's Facebook page.
"
uncertain
Kashouh → appear → page
He maintains his innocence and says he acted in self-defense.
asserted
he → maintain → defense
As this matter moves through the legal process, Mr. Kashouh looks forward to the opportunity to fully address the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident," the post states.
asserted
post → move → incident
"Having just celebrated over 25 years serving the Springfield community, Mr. Kashouh is incredibly grateful for the many clients, guests, friends, and community members who have reached out and continued to support him and Nadim’s," it continued.
asserted
it → celebrate → him
"He sincerely thanks them for their kindness and support during this time."
asserted
He → thank → time
Kashouh was born in Monrovia, Liberia, before moving to Lebanon as a child in 1974 where he worked in the family business during the summer, the New York Post reported.
asserted
Post → bear → summer
Despite the allegations against him, some came to his defense.
asserted
some → come → defense
"I have known Nadim to be respectful, fair, calm, and incredibly hardworking," Maureen Pinette, who worked for him between 2012 and 2014, wrote on Facebook.
asserted
who → know → Facebook
"I've watched him deal with difficult situations and difficult people, and I have never known him to be someone who simply loses his cool."
asserted
who → watch → cool
"I see so much of Nadim in both of his children—the love, the loyalty, the work ethic, and the way they show up for the people around them," she added.
asserted
she → see → them
"I’ve also watched Nadim give to people and to his community without needing recognition for it.
asserted
Nadim → watch → it
He has done things for people simply because they needed help."
asserted
they → do → help
Fox News Digital has reached out to the restaurant and the Springfield Police Department.
asserted
Digital → reach → restaurant
The Aporia
