Dramatic coffee shop owner arrest over alleged COVID-19 breach caught on video

Video has emerged of a dramatic arrest at a Brisbane cafe where the owner allegedly breached Covid rules.

There has been a dramatic arrest in Brisbane following a coffee shop owner’s alleged Covid health direction violations.

Videos of angry customers yelling in a cafe have spread online.

“This is pathetic, you’re destroying his workplace,” one patron said.

Police allege the 52 year-old cafe owner failed to comply with Covid-19 rules, including QR codes, proof of vaccination and mask wearing.

The repeat offender refused to give police his name and address and said he had a right to remain silent.

“This is private property, you are trespassing” he told officers.

Police arrest coffee shop owner in front of angry customers following multiple alleged COVID-19 health order breaches. Image: Nine Network.

The man was arrested after police issued warnings in recent weeks.

Senior Sergeant David Candale said members of the community had made more than 20 complaints about the business.

“This is the only business in the area with major resistance to complying with health direction” Mr Candale told 4BC radio.

“We’ve tried to take a mediative approach, we’ve tried compassion, we’ve tried negotiation with all of the persons, including the customers.”

Angry customers gathered outside the Capalaba police station on Sunday demanding the owner’s release.

The man has been charged with several offences including obstructing police and failing to comply with a Covid-19 health order.

Cafe patrons surround police attending The Vintage Apron cafe at Capalaba. Picture: Supplied

Police are on the hunt for a patron who fled the scene after allegedly obstructing police.

The Vintage Apron cafe is now facing eviction from Capalaba shopping centre management.

The small business has no one inside and food deliveries have been left unattended at the front door.

The cafe owner was issued bail to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on March 15.

Police Minister Mark Ryan said if a business is found breaching new requirements for vaccination venues, then action will be taken.

Police Minister Mark Ryan has previously said any person found breaching public health direction could face up to $13,800 or six months in prison.

“But make no mistake, police say if someone, or a business, for example a coffee shop business, deliberately tries to breach the new requirements for vaccination venues, then action will be taken” he said.

In December, police were forced out of the Queensland cafe after reports of Covid-19 public health violations.

Videos of cafe patrons chanting “leave the shop” circulated online.

The owner was issued with a $1378 fine for failing to enforce Queensland health mandates.

Originally published as Dramatic coffee shop owner arrest over alleged COVID-19 breach caught on video