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Tempe restaurant owner arrested in ASU assault

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A Tempe restaurant owner has been arrested for allegedly getting into an argument with and assaulting an ASU student over seating at a movie theater.

The alleged incident happened Jan. 3 at the AMC theater near 5th Street and Ash Avenue.

Police say the victim and his girlfriend entered the theater and got into an argument with a man, later identified as 28-year-old Yechi Justin Zhang, over the assigned seating.

Zhang owns YZ's Hot Pot located near Rural and Broadway roads.

Police said Zhang punched the victim in the face, fracturing his nose and the bones around his eye, which required surgery to repair. Zhang ran away and was not arrested.

Police released a sketch to local media a few weeks later and posted it online asking for the public's help.

A tip came in that led them to Zhang. He was arrested on March 10 and booked into jail for aggravated assault.

He reportedly told police that he "didn't think to much" of the incident. He also said there were three people against him and his wife and alleged one person had grabbed his arm.