Boca Raton Man Arrested at Yard House Restaurant
Tony Lessa, 41, was taken into custody after officers were called to a trespassing complaint at the restaurant.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Dining Out
Boca Raton police arrested Tony Lessa, 41, at the Yard House restaurant at 201 Plaza Real on November 2 after he remained on the premises following an official trespass warning. Lessa faces charges of trespass after warning at a structure, resisting or obstructing an officer without violence, and battery on a law enforcement officer.
Why it matters
The arrest followed a restaurant manager's complaint that Lessa was disturbing customers and directing profanities at her, placing the incident within the routine handling of disturbances at dining establishments. For diners and restaurant staff in Boca Raton, it illustrates how such disputes can escalate when a person is asked to leave.
The arrest report lists three charges against Lessa, age 41: trespass after warning at a structure, resisting or obstructing an officer without violence, and battery on a law enforcement officer. The report does not indicate any court date or bail amount.
The players
Boca Raton Police Department
The Boca Raton Police Department is the municipal law enforcement agency serving the city of Boca Raton, Florida.
Tony Lessa
Tony Lessa is a 41-year-old man arrested at the Yard House restaurant in Boca Raton and charged with three offenses.
The details
Officers responded to a trespassing complaint at Yard House, where the manager said Lessa was disturbing customers and shouted profanities at her. After officers formally trespassed him and told him to leave, Lessa remained, swiped away an officer's hand, braced and resisted, and was brought to the ground and arrested.
Timeline
November 2: Officers respond to the trespassing complaint and arrest Lessa at Yard House.
Legal Context
The trespass-after-warning charge against Lessa reflects Florida's statute that makes it an offense to remain on a property after being warned to leave, a common basis for removing disruptive patrons from businesses. The added charges of resisting an officer without violence and battery on a law enforcement officer are separate offenses under Florida law.
Diners and restaurant workers in Boca Raton may notice that disturbances are addressed by officers who can issue formal trespass warnings and make arrests when a person refuses to leave. The incident shows that remaining at a business after being told to leave can result in criminal charges.
The takeaway
If asked to leave a business, complying promptly avoids the criminal exposure that can follow from remaining after an official trespass warning. Staff and customers alike benefit from calm, prompt compliance when disputes arise.
Further reading
For more local restaurant coverage, see Dining Out in Boca Raton.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WPEC.
