Vintage Apron cafe owner Pierre Coorey, 53, faces multiple charges

Tempers have run high as police moved in on a popular Brisbane bayside cafe owner they allege was in breach of Covid-related health orders following a flurry of complaints from worried locals. SEE THE VIDEO.

Protest has erupted at a bayside police station following the dramatic arrest of a popular cafe owner whom police allege is in breach of Covid-19 health orders.

The Vintage Apron cafe owner Pierre Coorey, 53, of Wishart was yesterday at 2pm in handcuffs at his Capalaba business.

Disturbing footage shows multiple officers enact the arrest while customers berate them.

Coorey faces charges of obstructing police and contravening a police direction following the protracted arrest that played out in full view of irate customers.

The business owner will also face a principal charge of failing to comply with a Covid-19 health order, after multiple requests from police for compliance.

It comes as shocking new statistics show the unvaccinated are 24 times more likely to end up in intensive care than someone who is triple-vaccinated, as Queensland records seven deaths and 15,122 new Covid-19 cases.

Up to 50 residents furious at the arrest protested at Capalaba Police Station around 5pm yesterday.

The crowd remained peaceful with no further arrests made.

Police allege Coorey refused to check customers’ vaccine status, in contradiction to current health orders.

“A 53-year-old Wishart man, the owner of a cafe in Capalaba, was arrested yesterday following several police warnings for his business to comply with the chief health officer’s public health direction,” a QPS spokesperson said.

Capalaba Vintage Apron cafe owner Pierre Coorey, 53, faces multiple charges following his arrest on Sunday. Picture: Facebook.

“Police have received more than 20 complaints from members of the public about the cafe breaching public health requirements and have previously attended the business in relation to compliance issues.

“The man was charged with contravening a police direction, failing to comply with the Covid-19 public health directions and obstructing police.

“He was taken to Cleveland watch-house before being released on bail to appear in the Cleveland Magistrates Court on March 15.

“The vast majority of business owners across Queensland are following the public health directions closely in the interest of keeping our community safe.”

Footage shows Coorey allegedly struggling with officers while stating:
“Don’t hurt me … I am not under arrest … I haven’t done nothing (sic) … I need your names and numbers”.

A vocal customer can be heard saying: “What is he under arrest for? … This is so pathetic; you’re destroying his workforce (place) … He is not resisting”.

It followed scenes of high drama captured on video in December when officers were vocally berated by residents at the cafe, earning condemnation from Police Minister Mark Ryan.

“That type of behaviour demonstrated towards our police is totally unacceptable and I’m sure the vast majority of Queenslanders will join me in deploring it,” Minister Ryan said in December.

“Our Queensland Police Service are working hard … every single day through Covid, through general community safety initiatives and they deserve our praise and accolades and thanks.

“Those people who cross the line will obviously have consequences associated with that poor behaviour.”

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath on Monday called out businesses that weren’t following the vaccine mandate.

“This is about safety, this is about those businesses looking out for their own workers. Surely these businesses are worried about having no staff if they test positive,” she said. “It does nothing to support the economy when you could end up with all of your staff infected anyway.”

The Vintage Apron cafe and Coorey were contacted for comment.