Pocono News Section

Police Say Man Vandalized Competing Restaurant

Police Say Man Vandalized Competing Restaurant - Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 3:46PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 @ 03:46pm EST
MOUNTAINHOME, MONROE COUNTY - The term "food fight" is taking on a sinister meaning in the Poconos. It appears a restaurant owner there vandalized the competition. Over the past three months the damage totals tens of thousand of dollars for a pizzeria owner.

Joe Kastrati got his Pocono pizza making start at the Continental Grill in Canadensis. He later opened his own shop in nearby Mountainhome. It's called Capri Pizza. Kastrati said, "We invested in the town because we believed in the area and the people and their kindness."

For about five years things went well. But this January employees say vandals started to attack the building. Melissa Miller explained, "They just pretty much cut like the gas lines, the phone lines, multiple times."

Someone also vandalized three cars and a building where Kastrati plans to relocate the pizza shop. He said, "In my opinion it was just an attempt to ruin somebody's life."

He had no idea who would target him. He added, "It's just been a nightmare. This truly has been a nightmare."

A Barrett Township Police Officer solved the mystery this week. He hid inside of the pizza shop under construction and it didn't take long until he heard someone trying to break in. He chased that person about a hundred yards. When he caught up with him he learned it was another restaurant owner. "I was absolutely stunned when I learned who it was," said Kastrati.

Police say it was Mumun Barbaros, the man who owns the Continental Grill, Kastrati's former boss. "It's a bittersweet moment to know that a fellow business man in town could resort to such brutal tactics," said Kastrati.

Officers say Barbaros had help, his employee Mehmet Edgu. Both men are now in jail. Kastrati said he's relieved but he's not sure he'll ever be able to recover. He explained, "Emotionally you know, I'm just completely in shambles really."

Police are still investigating how much of the vandalism Barbaros may have been involved with. So far he is charged with 35 counts in connection to the case. They also say he might have set another competitor's business on fire.

We obtained search warrants that connect Barbaros to an arson in Paradise Township last year. Officers are searching his car, home and garage for clues. That fire destroyed Kasa's Pizzeria and a Taco Bell. Barbaros has not been charged in connection with that case.