NBCLA – The co-owner of Tinhorn Flats in Burbank was arrested by police for removing sandbags the city had put in place to block the front doors of the restaurant.
Lucas Lepejian, 20, was taken into custody Tuesday after police said he was seen removing the bags, which were placed to keep anyone from entering.
Lepejian has been arrested three times this month on suspicion of misdemeanors.
Officials say the restaurant and bar has repeatedly defied coronavirus health orders to close, including its refusal to stop offering outdoor dining when all in-person was banned in Los Angeles County.
A post Tuesday afternoon on the restaurant’s Instagram page said:
“This is the kind of Police Enforcement we are dealing with…they are coming in heavy handed afraid that Tinhorn Flats will make burgers and serve beers.
“Lucas is back out of jail for the 3rd time. What a truly sad time in Burbank CA. We will not comply … ” Click here to read more.
18 licensed central Pa. restaurants, bars and social clubs cited for not following COVID-19 guidelines
Apr 06, 5:25 PM
PENNLIVE – COVID-19 mitigation measures targeting restaurants are easing up, but Pennsylvania State Police continue to do compliance checks at licensed establishments.
About 18 restaurants, bars and social clubs in central Pennsylvania were cited in March by the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement. The number is on par with February, when about 16 establishments were cited.
The bureau oversees enforcement of establishments with liquor licenses and is ensuring Gov. Tom Wolf’s COVID-19 mitigation orders are being carried out. The unannounced visits are part of regular compliance checks, but some are prompted by complaints submitted by the public.
Officers have been ensuring establishments are following protocols including mask-wearing by employees and customers and occupancy levels.
On April 4, indoor occupancy was raised from 50% to 75% for restaurants that self-certify, while restrictions including no bar seating and an 11 p.m. alcohol sales curfew were lifted.
The bureau also oversaw Wolf’s three-week indoor dining ban in December as well a pre-Thanksgiving Day early alcohol sales cutoff at 5 p.m.
Since early July, officers have performed more than 82,593 compliance checks and issued 2,742 warning letters to those found breaking COVID-19 protocols. The agency has also issued 1,006 notices of violation to noncompliant businesses.
Throughout the state, a handful of restaurant and bar owners have been vocal about defying protocols, whether for political reasons or as a means of survival … Read more.
