Pinellas Park business temporarily closes after owner arrested for violating 'safer-at-home' order

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. - The owner of a store that specializes in card games such as "Magic: The Gathering," "Transformers," and "YuGiOh" was arrested by Pinellas County deputies for violating the county's 'safer at home' order.

Galen Wood, owner Kitchen Table Games on 66th Street North in Pinellas Park, faces charges of operating a non-essential business and traveling to operate a non-essential business.

Deputies said they were called to the 36-year-old's business five times between April 3 and April 16, due to complaints and tips that the store was open and social distancing guidelines were not being followed.

According to the Pinellas County sheriff’s office, Wood was issued a warning on each occasion.

RELATED Owner of Pinellas Park card game business arrested for violating 'safer-at-home' order

On Thursday, deputies conducted a non-essential business compliance check at Kitchen Table Games and said they watched employees and customers interact inside the store.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said he visited Wood personally, warning him to close. 

“We want people to do the right thing,” Gualtieri said. “He was just obnoxious and he was just, ‘I’m not going to do it, you can’t make me do it.’” 

Wood was arrested and told FOX 13 he interprets the law differently.

“We can’t live in a country where the cops tell you what to do that’s Nazi Gestapo type stuff,” Wood said. “That’s not where we live.”

Wood posted bond and said he has an attorney to fight the two misdemeanor charges.  He said Kitchen Table Games will remain closed until the “Safer at Home” Order is lifted. 

“I don’t feel like getting arrested again,” he said. 

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