Village Fix Shellharbour owner fined after staff fail to wear face masks

Incredible footage has emerged after the wife of a cafe owner fined for not wearing a mask declared “I know my rights and there is nothing they can do” as she sat in the back of a police car.

An Illawarra cafe owner who calls himself a “freedom keeper”, has been arrested, after he was initally issued a penalty infringement notice for refusing to wear a mask.

Just after 9am on Saturday, police from Lake Illawarra Police District attended Village Fix cafe in Shellharbour, following reports staff and customers were not complying with Public Health Orders.

Upon arrival, police observed three employees not wearing face masks.

When spoken to, it’s alleged they told police they had a medical exemption, however, were not able to provide one.

The owner of Village Fix, 41-year-old Anthony Reale, was issued PINs for operator of hospitality venue not ensure workers at venue wear fitted face mask and failing to wear a fitted face covering.

Reale, who calls himself a “freedom keeper” posted on Instagram that morning telling his

customers “no mask, we won’t ask”.

One of the messages posted to the Village Fix Instagram over the weekend. Picture: Instagram

This message was posted to the cafe’s social media channels on Sunday night. Picture: Instagram

His wife documented their run-in with the law on Instagram, filming as she was taken to Lake Illawarra police station in the back of a cop car.

“I know my rights and there is nothing they can do,” she told the camera.

On Monday morning, police returned to Village Fix and arrested Reale in front of a crowd of cafe-goers.

“Shortly after 11am police attended a cafe in Shellharbour Village in response to numerous complaints from members of the public relating to a man working in the shop and serving without a mask,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.

“Police will allege he refused to put a face mask on despite being asked to do so.

“The 41-year-old man had been warned by police at the weekend to comply with current Public Health Orders.

“He has since been charged with offences relating to failing to wear a fitted face-covering in retail/business premises.”

Village Fix Shellharbour owner Anthony Reale has been arrested. Picture: Instagram

NSW Police deputy commissioner Gary Worboys dubbed the cafe’s actions as “clearly irresponsible” in a press conference on Sunday morning, saying police would continue to check up on Village Fix to ensure future compliance.

“When police were called to that cafe there was an absolute clear resistance by the cafe owner and those people at front of house to actually wear a mask,” he said.

“It is clearly irresponsible. The community when you look at social media were certainly against that stance taken by the cafe. And in fact Police had to issue infringement notices. We will follow that up in the coming days to make sure they comply.”

However, after the infringement was issued, Village Fix posted another message to customers on Instagram that was “proudly supported by Human Rights advocates”.

“Some of our staff members have a valid, medical, lawful excuse for not wearing a face mask,” the post read.

“If you are not wearing a mask and/or have not been vaccinated, we understand you are free to make your own decisions regarding your health and support your choices”.

In total, police issued seven $1000 fines across NSW on Saturday and a further eight $200 infringements for failing to wear a fitted face covering.