Business owner grabs phones of reporter during interview

A restaurant operator grabbed an Arizona Republic reporter’s cellphones Thursday, abruptly ending an interview about the woman’s new venue and her trail of closed restaurants, reports Kathy Tulumello of the Republic.

Tulumello reports, “Tawny Costa, the operator of Parma Italian Roots, took the phones, with the reporter trying to snatch them back, according to a statement she made to Phoenix police.

“Costa was elbowing and pushing, reporter Priscilla Totiyapungprasert told police. As the reporter reached for her phones, her knee was injured, most likely a bruise, she told police. Then Costa left the restaurant.

“Totiyapungprasert covers food and dining in metro Phoenix for The Republic and azcentral.com. Costa had agreed to the interview being recorded. Totiyapungprasert’s phones were in view on a table during the interview, which had been scheduled days in advance.”

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