NOCO Smoke Shop Owner Arrested For Violating ‘At-Home’ Order
The owner of the One Love smoke shops in Fort Collins and Loveland was arrested on Friday for refusing to close his stores during the county's Stay-At-Home" public health order.
Jonah Ricke, 32, of Loveland, was taken into custody by members of the Larimer County Sheriff's Office, Fort Collins Police and Loveland Police, according to a Friday press release. Judge Daniel McDonald had issued the arrest warrant.
One Love stores at 700 S.College Avenue in Fort Collins and 2818 West Eisenhower Boulevard in Loveland stayed open despite Larimer County deeming them 'non-essential.'
Larimer County Department of Health and Environment said it had received multiple complaints from citizens and other businesses regarding the One Love stores remaining open. Both stores were contacted and told to close — authorities say employees present "were compliant and cooperative with law enforcement"
But Ricke allegedly continued to operate in defiance of the order. Larimer County Department of Health and Environment petitioned the court for enforcement.
The press release says Ricke was notified by telephone that the court orders were initiated before the arrest.
Ricke was booked on on allegations of Unlawful Acts Public Health Act (class 1 misdemeanor), Obstructing Government Operations (class 3 misdemeanor), and Resisting Arrest (class 2 misdemeanor).
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty. An arrest is merely an accusation of a crime by law enforcement.
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