By Ryan Yousefi
A man is charged with burglary and assault following his attempt to steal two bottles of whiskey from the Black Rock restaurant during the time it was receiving eviction papers.
On Monday, March 4, the Coral Springs Police Department was called to assist in a burglary and assault case at the Black Rock restaurant, which was undergoing an eviction process.
A Broward Sheriff’s Officer, who was on-site to oversee the posting of an eviction notice, requested backup after detaining a suspect identified as Thomas Gleason, 46, of Tamarac.
Black Rock was temporarily closed in December due to a reported falling out between corporate and one of its franchisees and two failed health inspections.
According to the arrest report, Gleason allegedly entered the unopened establishment and was later caught exiting with two bottles of Jim Beam Honey Whiskey.
A statement provided by a victim, who is also a former Black Rock employee, detailed how he noticed Gleason inside the closed business, leading to a confrontation at the entrance, where Gleason, allegedly armed with a bottle of liquor in each hand, shoved him in an attempt to exit.
The altercation escalated as Gleason shoved the employee twice before the BSO deputy intervened, according to the report.
A witness corroborated the account, having seen Gleason inside Black Rock, taking alcohol, and witnessing the subsequent physical altercation, according to police.
In addition to the burglary, the report notes the property manager intends to prosecute for the forceful and unlawful entry into the establishment.
Gleason was arrested and transported to the Broward County Main Jail.
The incident is the most recent setback for Black Rock, which was once highly touted upon its grand opening at 2554 North University Drive in April 2023.
In September 2023, state health inspectors ordered the eatery closed for a second time after an inspection uncovered ten violations, including the presence of dead rodents, rodent droppings, food storage directly on the floor, and improper separation of raw animal products from ready-to-eat food.
State authorities said in June that the restaurant was initially ordered to close after 14 violations were identified, including flying insects, inadequate sanitary precautions, and food storage concerns.
In addition to the inspection issues, Black Rock corporate encountered problems with one of the franchisees at its Coral Springs location.
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