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.
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.
Kashouh reportedly chased the teens and caught them at a convenience store.
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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.
Kashouh, an immigrant from Lebanon who came to the United States in 1990, allegedly grabbed the girl’s phone and demanded they pay. He then elbowed the girl and punched Lee in the face, the Springfield Police Department said.
“As a larger group gathered, Kashouh is alleged to have pointed his firearm in the direction of the group. Kashouh stated he did so in self-defense,” police spokesperson Ryan Walsh said, according to WMTV.
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Walsh said Kashouh’s firearm and his license to carry permit were seized. He is charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, armed robbery with a firearm, and assault and battery.
Meanwhile, the two teens will be issued criminal complaints for defrauding a restaurant.
Kashouh appeared in court earlier this week, according to his restaurant’s Facebook page.
“He maintains his innocence and says he acted in self-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.
“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. “He sincerely thanks them for their kindness and support during this 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.
Despite the allegations against him, some came to his 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. “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.”
“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. “I’ve also watched Nadim give to people and to his community without needing recognition for it. He has done things for people simply because they needed help.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the restaurant and the Springfield Police Department.