A local restaurant in Burbank, Los Angeles, was chained-fenced by the Burbank Police Department for repeatedly defying COVID-19 curbs and mandates. 

As per Lt. Derek Green, action against the restaurant Tinhorn Flats Saloon & Grill was taken by local authorities after it refused to adhere to COVID-19 restrictions and tried to open up after under unsafe conditions.

A preliminary injunction was granted to the police by the court to cut off the restaurant’s electricity to stop it from functioning without a County Health Permit and City Conditional Use Permit.

Also Read: ‘White lives matter’ rally stirs up Orange County

People continued to protest the police’s actions, reported NBC Southern California. According to Green, the protests have been going on for days straining police resources. 

“We will be out there to maintain peace and order. The groups have been peaceful for the most part,” he said. However, people who live around the small business district have been “impacted by the commotion,” he added. 

Also Read: Police arrest 20 in Helsinki after anti-COVID curbs protests

Tinhorn Flats Saloon & Grill’s owner Baret Lepejian said in a statement to Los Angeles Times, “Show me one shred of evidence how I am endangering the public. This has never been about safety or the public. It’s never been about that. This whole thing is about fear and control.” He lives in Thailand and his kids take care of the restaurant. 

He vowed to not pay the $50,000 levied against his restaurant through fines. 

His son, Lucas Lepejian was taken into custody by the police at 9.40 am after he was seen removing the sandbags placed in front of the building meant to stop people from entering it. While he released later, this was Lucas’ third arrest in six days, reported NBC Southern California.