Owner of Adamson BBQ released on $50,000 bail following arrest

By News Staff

The owner of an Etobicoke barbecue joint that tried to open for in-person dining three days in a row has been released on $50,000 bail Friday.

Adam Skelly, the owner of Adamson Barbecue, is facing several charges after breaking health regulations imposed by the City of Toronto and the province.

While he is out on bail, Skelly has been ordered to stay 200 metres away from Adamson Barbecue and cannot operate or direct any business except in accordance with the province’s reopening act. He is also forbidden from communicating on social media, must obey orders and law handed down by Dr. David Williams and Eileen de Villa and must obey the Health Protection Act.

Skelly was arrested on Thursday following what police called a “dynamic scene” outside the restaurant.

He will appear in court again on Jan. 4

Police officers showed up to the location in the early morning hours accompanied by locksmiths. Officers entered the premises and changed the locks to prevent anyone from getting inside.

Police say Skelly was allowed access to the back section of the restaurant. Skelly and others broke through parts of the drywall to enter the dining area of Adamson Barbecue and damaged the locks placed on the doors.

 

Skelly faces multiple charges as a result, including the attempt to obstruct police and mischief.

Despite Skelly’s law breaking motives his supporters aren’t going anywhere. As of Friday morning, a ‘GoFundMe’ created in Skelly’s honour has now surpassed $170,000 with roughly 3,000 donors and counting.

Officers also arrested 27-year-old Michael Belito Arana of Markham who faces an assortment of charges, including six counts of assaulting police. Sinopoli said the Markham man also spat in an officer’s face and uttered death threats.

Both men have been issued a summons under Failing to Comply with the Reopening Ontario Act.’

Toronto and Peel Region entered the “lockdown” stage of the province’s COVID-19 response framework on Monday.

The new restrictions mean all indoor and outdoor dine-in services at restaurants and bars is prohibited. Establishments can still offer take out or delivery services.

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