Restaurant owner arrested, accused of sexually assaulting sleeping woman

A Pittsburgh restaurant owner is in the Allegheny County Jail, accused of sexually assaulting a sleeping woman after breaking into her home in the city’s South Side, Channel 11 News has learned.

According to a criminal complaint, Adnan Pehlivan broke into the home on Josephine Street early Tuesday. Investigators believe he forced open a window to get inside.

Sources told Channel 11's Mike Holden that Pehlivan owns Istanbul Sofra on Forbes Avenue in Regent Square, where he was arrested about 8 p.m. Tuesday while people were dining.

The victim told police she was “jolted” awake by Pehlivan, who was in her bed and was sexually assaulting her, the complaint said. She fought him to get off her and he punched her to get away.

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After running off, Pehlivan quickly returned to the house to grab a suit coat he left behind, police said. He then fled a second time.

Police said the woman recognized Pehlivan from a bar Monday night. She said she was out with friends and he bought them shots and talked with them.

The owner of Kopy's in South Side, Hope Keshavarz, said Pehlivan and the group of friends are on surveillance at the bar -- evidence that is now in the hands of police.

The woman said she and her friends left the bar to go home and Pehlivan was not with them.

Pehlivan was seen earlier that night posting pictures to his restaurant's Facebook page with County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Braddock Mayor John Fetterman and Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto.

Peduto's office released a statement to Channel 11 News saying:

"These are shocking and horrifying allegations. People regularly ask the mayor for photos countless times per week and was at a public event where his photo was taken with this individual, as it has in the past."

Channel 11 checked our archives and found Pehlivan is no stranger to city and county leaders.

In July 2016, he was a featured speaker alongside the mayor and county executive in a news conference about the economic contributions immigrants make in Allegheny County.

He faces charges including sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, simple assault and burglary.

Cox Media Group