Man charged after scuffle with police over facemasks

Police have charged a man with assaulting police after a breach of the public health act was detected in the NSW Southern Highlands.

Officers visited a Bowral cafe, south-west of Sydney, after midday on Thursday after they received calls from concerned residents.

Police said they observed employees and customers not wearing face masks while inside the premises and spoke with the manager, a 62-year-old woman.

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The Organic Store Bowral

The woman said she had "no intentions" of complying with the current orders and was arrested after refusing to provide police her details.

A 61-year-old female customer came into the store also not wearing a face mask.

Police requested the woman put a mask on or leave the store, but she refused.

The employee intervened, demanding police leave and both women were arrested.

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Gary Worboys

Police said as officers escorted the women outside to a police vehicle, they were confronted by a man who yelled at officers before pulling down the face mask of a sergeant.

The 63-year-old man was also arrested and all three were taken to Southern Highlands Police Station.

The man was charged with assault officer in execution of duty, resist officer in execution of duty and incite to resist/hinder police officer in execution duty.

He was given conditional bail to appear at Moss Vale Local Court next month.

The Organic Store Bowral posted a dramatic video of the arrest to its Instagram account.

In the video, a woman was put into the back of a paddy wagon as a bystander yelled at police officers.

After the woman was put into the vehicle, a struggle ensued as police arrested a man, who shouted at them.

"The police were called because the shop takes a stand against the mandatory mask mandates," the cafe claimed in the social media post.

They also claimed in the post "masks are unhygienic" and "aren't safe" in an organic store, contradicting NSW Health advice.

The two women were later released with the younger woman issued a $200 PIN for not wear fitted face covering when in indoor area of retail/business premises.

Further charges and infringements are expected with inquiries continuing into additional Public Health Order breaches.

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The Organic Store Bowral

The woman was among 75 people to be issued with infringement notices.

"The excuse for not wearing a mask was simply that they had no belief in the wearing of masks nor the order," NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Warboys said.

"They have no intention at all in complying with the order. It's not on."

Under a current public health order, NSW residents must wear masks in various locations, including non-residential indoor settings.

"Police took suitable action, police went to that location as a result of the community's concern," Mr Warboys said.

NSW Police also penalised two people after leaving Greater Sydney and travel along the north coast to Lightning Ridge and then to Dubbo's Western Plains Zoo.

Police continue to investigate a group trip from Sydney to Western Plains Zoo.

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Man charged after scuffle with police over facemasks
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