Man beats workers at Macomb County restaurant after being asked to put on a mask

UTICA, Mich. – Police are investigating after a man assaulted two workers at Black Rock Bar & Grill in Utica on July 10.

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Authorities said a group of nine people entered the restaurant that night and ignored all the coronavirus (COVID-19) protocols it has in place.

The group went to the bar, four of them had no masks and were not socially distant. When they were told they couldn’t be at the bar and asked to go back to the lobby and put on masks, most of them complied.

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A member of the group did not comply and instead became belligerent. She threw expletives at female staff members.

The manager called 911. The man is accused of hitting that manager and a bartender when he was asked to leave after he repeatedly refused to put on a mask.

Authorities said he fled the restaurant before police arrived at the scene.

Det / Sgt Greg Morabito said attacking restaurant staff will not be tolerated.

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“They’re just trying to keep everyone safe right now, they’re trying to do what the governor wants them to do to keep customers safe, and I don’t think the request to put on the mask was unreasonable,” Morabito said.

Police are asking anyone who recognizes the man on the surveillance video to contact them at 586-731-2345.

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