Police order review after man detained as tempers flare at reopened Waffle Shop

Editor’s note: Video linked to in this story contains graphic language.

One man was briefly detained by police Sunday morning when a scuffle involving a police officer broke out at the Waffle Shop in northwest Fresno after owner Ammar Ibrahim opened the restaurant in defiance of emergency city orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The father-in-law of California Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula was involved in the incident, according to Felicia Matlosz, spokeswoman for the 31st District Democrat. But Matlosz did not specify his role.

Fresno police would not identify the detained man, and Chief Andy Hall issued a statement saying he is reviewing video of the incident posted on Facebook. Hall said he is also reviewing the officer’s body camera.

“As the chief of police, I am concerned over the manner in which this incident was handled as it doesn’t appear to be consistent with our department’s policy concerning demonstrations or the directions I have given officers via a chief’s memorandum for handling enforcement of the Emergency Order. I immediately ordered an Internal Affairs investigation of this incident.”

Police say the unidentified man was briefly placed in a patrol vehicle after he grabbed a police officer as city code enforcement officers attempted to enter the business. The man was released about 15 minutes later. Sgt. Walter Boston said the matter would be referred to the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office.

Ibrahim, whose business has become a rallying point for those opposing the city’s closure of businesses deemed non-essential, said he received a $5,000 fine for opening his doors Sunday.

Fresno City Councilmember Garry Bredefeld, who has called Mayor Lee Brand’s shelter-in-place rules that are in place through May 31 “authoritarian,” took to Facebook to criticize Sunday’s actions. “The fight to end this tyranny is just starting and we will win,” Bredefeld wrote.

The video peppered with obscenities that captured the scuffle was posted to Facebook by Ibrahim supporter Richard Tilley, but later taken down as Tilley apologized for the language. He said he would republish it with the sound edited later Sunday. It was later republished, but the obscenities remained.

Ibrahim accused code enforcement officers of using heavy-handed tactics as they served the citation. He said a confrontation could have been avoided if the officers had called his shop ahead of time and asked him to come outside. He also said that police did not have “jurisdiction” in the matter.

Boston said his officers were simply trying to keep the peace.

“I understand the politics,” he said. “I understand how heated it can be, but I can’t have citizens ... grabbing officers and assaulting them.”

This story was originally published May 10, 2020 at 2:26 PM.