Popeye’s Assault Suspect Arrested at Target Aug. 17

WARWICK, RI — Warwick Police arrested a Cranston man Aug. 17 at 11:33 a.m. for assault of a Popeye’s Chicken employee, issuing a no-trespass order for him at the restaurant.

Warwick Officer  Corbin Pereira was called to the 1000 Bald Hill Road location for a report of a disturbance, speaking with the victim, 37, a Popeye’s employee, who said that a man, later identified as Nassar S. Rihani, 34, of 1 Brookview Drive, Cranston, RI, had been in the restaurant working for a delivery service, waiting for the order to be prepared.

Rihani asked for free food while he waited, a “breach of contract,” with the delivery service, the restaurant worker said, so she asked for Rihani’s information to report it to his employer.

Rihani began yelling at her and calling her names, and she responde by attempting to take a photo of the license plate on the man’s black 2017 Audi four-door with her phone. Rihani slapped her hand with an open palm in an attempt to grab the phone from her, she reported, and approached her, threatening to hit and spit on her. He took off his shirt to cover his license plate and left, she said, according to the report.

While working at a school drive at Target at 1245 Bald Hill Road, Officer Connor Craig overheard the officers responding to the assault report at Popeyes, concerning a man in a red shirt and black shorts. At about 11:54 a.m., he spotted a man matching that description in the store and followed him to the department store’s kitchen section.

Craig informed the man he was a suspect in the Popeye’s incident, and that he had been issued a no-trespass order for the restaurant.

The man, later identified as Rihani, responded, “Fine, I don’t give a f**k,” according to Craig’s report. Craig asked for Rihani’s ID, to verify the no trespass order and because he was a suspect in a crime, and he refused, asking why he needed to identify himself. Craig repeated the reasons, and added that if he didn’t provide ID, he would be arrested. Rihani then identified himself, according to Craig’s report.

According to the report, Rihani raised his voice, stating he was not committing a crime, told Craig, “You have a big ego,” and asked him, “Let’s take this outside.” Craig said they would not and would resolve the matter inside. He then radioed asking for backup because Rihani was being uncooperative.

Rihani responded, saying, “If I was uncooperative I would put you in a choke hold right now.” Craig responded by placing Rihani into handcuffs and escorting him to the front of the store. Craig reported he had to drag Rihani to do so because the man dragged his feet and attempted to escape the officer’s grip.

Officer David Gaulin arrived to assist Craig and the pair placed Nasser into a cruiser. Nasser also admitted to being at the Popeyes at the time of the reported assault. Among his possessions was an Audi key.

At Warwick Police Headquarters, 99 Veterans Memorial Drive, officers processed Nasser, charging him with simple assault and disorderly conduct.