Emprise Bank sets up fund to help burned Petra Restaurant

Emprise Bank has set up a relief fund to help Petra Mediterranean Restaurant, which was destroyed in an early morning fire Nov. 1.

Deposits can be made at any Emprise Bank location to the account titled “Rebuild Petra Restaurant.”

Owners Ranya Taha and Bashar Mahanweh bank with Emprise.

“Petra and Ranya Taha are valued customers of ours,” Emprise said in an emailed statement. “We frequently establish accounts for customers to assist during times of difficulty. We are delighted to have the opportunity to help.”

After an Iraqi-American family was handcuffed and questioned when Emprise Bank couldn’t verify the legitimacy of a check, Taha and Mahanweh worked with Emprise Bank and the Wichita Police Department to build relationships between them and area Muslims.

Investigators have said the fire to Petra Mediterranean Restaurant was intentionally set and are offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

This story was originally published November 10, 2017 at 9:35 AM with the headline "Emprise Bank sets up fund to help burned Petra Restaurant."