A Chinese national arrested while trying to board a one-way plane to China after skipping his court date for an alleged beating and robbery of another man in Rowland Heights appeared in court Thursday, officials said.

Gangyi Zhang, 20, pleaded not to charges of robbery and assault with means likely to cause great bodily injury in West Covina Superior Court, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Shiara Davila-Morales said.

Zhang is accused of taking part in the beating and robbery of a man March 30 at a restaurant in the 18700 block of Colima Road in Rowland Heights, according to Deputy Benjamin Grubb Grubb of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau.

“During the incident Zhang and other unknown suspects got into an argument with a 26 year old Pomona man,” Grubb said. “The argument escalated and Zhang and the other suspects kicked and punched the victim repeatedly while stealing his wallet.”

Zhang was identified as a suspect and arrested the following morning, according to sheriff’s officials and county booking records.

He was released from jail two days later after posting $50,000 bail, officials said. He was ordered to appear in court Monday, but failed to show up.

“At approximately 10:45 p.m. (Monday), United States Customs and Border Protection identified suspect Zhang at Los Angeles International Airport and arrested him as he attempted to board a flight to China,” Grubb said. “Zhang was returned to the custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.”

Zhang was being held without bail due to a hold placed on him by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to county booking records. He was due back in court July 6.