Man detained outside of restaurant defying Fresno, California's stay-at-home order

FRESNO, Calif. (KMPH) — A man was taken into custody outside of the Waffle Shop in Fresno, California while waiting to enjoy a Mother's Day breakfast.

Sunday morning, a large crowd was waiting outside to get into the restaurant when police and code enforcement officers arrived.

A video taken Sunday morning shows a crowd of customers starting to become vocal as officers approached the front doors.

An officer then walked up to Tom Miller, Sr. and placed handcuffs on him.

Based on the video, Miller did not seem to have direct contact with the officer before being detained.

He was released by police a short time later.

The shop has been violating the City of Fresno's stay-at-home order by allowing diners to eat inside.

On Sunday afternoon, Chief Andy Hall sent out a news release addressing the video.

Chief Hall says that the department will be reviewing the officer's body camera footage of the incident.

He goes on to say that the way the officer handled the situation doesn't seem to match the department's policy on handling the emergency issue.

You can read Chief Hall's full statement below:

Today at 0840 hours, the Fresno Police Department was dispatched to the Waffle House at 4025 W. Fig Garden Drive to assist Code Enforcement Officers from the City of Fresno Attorney’s Office with issuing a citation to the business owner for violating a City of Fresno Emergency Order as it relates to the illegal operation of a restaurant during the COVID-19 pandemic. I have been briefed on the incident and have reviewed the video taken by a bystander. I am also in the process of reviewing the officer’s body camera of the incident. 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 the incident. I would ask for the public’s patience in this matter while the investigation is conducted.