The co-owner of a Cumberland restaurant has been extradited to Rhode Island after his arrest in New York.
Assad Awan, a resident of East Longmeadow, Mass was wanted on a warrant for sexually assaulting a minor and he was taken into custody earlier this month while trying to board an international flight at JFK Airport.
Awan, who is one of the owners of Ani's Pizza and Seafood on High Street, faces charges that include first-degree domestic sexual assault.
Cumberland Police Chief Matthew Benson noted, "We are incredibly thankful for the collaborative efforts of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department, the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force (VFTF) and the excellent work of the Detectives and assisting patrol units for the Cumberland Police. The outcome of this investigation produced the safe and timely apprehension of an individual believed to be responsible for vile and despicable criminal conduct with a juvenile. We are also grateful for the courage and fortitude of the victim in this case to come forward and report this situation, so this individual is not able to do this to anyone else, ever again.”
Awan is being held without bail at the ACI.