SHELBY TOWNSHIP (WWJ) – Two Macomb County restaurateurs are charged with seriously injuring a competitor they were apparently hoping to persuade to get out of the business.

Prosecutor Eric Smith brought assault with intent to murder, extortion and witness intimidation charges against brothers Giuseppe and Girolamo D’Anna, owners of Tirami Su Ristorante in Shelby Township.

Smith contends the brothers stormed into Nonna’s Italian Kitchen near 23 Mile and Schoenherr at closing time on April 28th and beat owner Pietro Ventimiglia, striking him on the head 11 times with an aluminum baseball bat.

According to police, during the beating, Giuseppe allegedly told Ventimiglia that he was going to kill him “so the problem would be over.”

Following the beating, Giuseppe shouted that if Ventimiglia went to the police, he would kill Ventimiglia’s children and his parents back in Italy.

Ventimiglia had recently expanded his restaurant from a seating capacity of 40 to 90. Nonna’s is located across the street from Tirami Su.

Arraigned Monday, each of the D’Annas are charged with assault with intent to murder (life felony), extortion (20-year felony) and witness intimidation (10-year felony). The

Giupseppe D’Anna’s attorney has said it was essentially “a family dispute.” He said his client plead not guilty and has posted bond.

According the Detroit News, Nonna’s general manager said Pietro is recovering and the restaurant remains open for business.

A hearing is scheduled for May 16.