SHARE

Watch: Video Shows Arrest Of Defiant South Jersey Gym Owners

The owners of Bellmawr's Atilis Gym were arrested after continuously defying Gov. Phil Murphy's COVID-19 shutdown order, CBS Philadelphia reports.

A woman who identified herself as an author working on a book with Atilis owners Ian Smith and Frank Trumbetti told Daily Voice she was five minutes away from leaving after a night of writing when authorities pulled in and made the arrests.

"Well, this was a first," the author wrote on her Facebook page.

"I stayed the night in the gym writing, my book clients Ian & Frank were just waking up, I’m gathering my computer & notebooks, just waiting for the guys to come out for a few final questions, and then a SWARM of Camden County Sheriffs & local Bellmawr police (with K-9 units waiting in a vehicle) come bursting thru the door....to me, sitting there, writing, by myself."

Smith and Trumbetti had been staying inside the gym since last week, when a judge ruled Atilis was in contempt of Murphy's order after reopening.

The author told Daily Voice Trumbetti and Smith were released within the hour. 

to follow Daily Voice Newark and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE