Cumberland pizza shop owner accused of rape, arrested while boarding international flight

CUMBERLAND, R.I. — According to authorities, a Cumberland pizza shop owner was arrested for rape while attempting to board an international flight.

On July 11, 27-year-old Assad Awan of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and co-owner of Anis Pizza and Seafood Cumberland, was taken into custody at JFK International Airport by Port Authority Police as he prepared to board an international flight.

Cumberland police said Awan was wanted on an arrest warrant stemming from several domestic violence charges. He faces two counts each of first-degree domestic sexual assault, domestic assault by strangulation, domestic simple assault and battery, and domestic disorderly conduct. 

According to investigators, the victim, who was a juvenile at the time, was known to Awan.

Following his arrest, Awan was returned to Rhode Island by the Rhode Island Division of Sheriffs over the weekend. He was arraigned on Monday and is currently being held without bail pending further court proceedings.