Azul Restaurant Owner Accused of Assaulting Former Employee

A Leetsdale restaurant owner is facing assault charges after police said he punched a former employee in the face and grabbed his neck.

Angus K. Peterkin, 55, of Buhlmont Drive, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, and one count each of providing false reports to law enforcement and reckless endangerment.

According to a criminal complaint, Peterkin, owner of Azul Bar y Cantina, fired Richard Grabowski and told him not to return after they argued inside the restaurant.

The following day on Sept. 13, Grabowski told police he stopped by to leave his telephone number on a former co-worker's car. Peterkin confronted him, yelled at Grabowski to get out of there, and accused him of trying to slash his tires and break into his garage, according to the complaint.

Peterkin later told police he saw Grabowski checking his car doors and standing on the running boards of his car. He said Grabowski also tried to forcibly open the door to a Broad Street property he owns, police said.

Police said Peterkin kicked at Grabowski's legs and feet, and punched him. Grabowski was able to block a few blows, but police said Peterkin punched him in the jaw and head, and grabbed at his neck.

Police said a passerby, later identified as Leetsdale Councilwoman Melanie Dunn, arrived and was getting out of her car when Peterkin asked her to call the police because Grabowski was trespassing, police said.

Dunn warned Grabowski that she had called 911 and that it would be best for him to go home, police said.

He suffered a swollen lip, a red ear and a red mark on his neck, police said. Police took pictures of the injuries and medics evaluated him at the station.

Peterkin denied attacking Grabowski, suggesting he may have been injured from running into something while running between houses, police said. 

A hearing is scheduled later this month at Leetsdale District Court.