OAKLAND — The city had tried time and time again to shut down Edison Gbollie’s downtown pop-up food stand, but he allegedly vowed to continue unless he was arrested or killed.
They’d sent him cease and desist notes, citations and notices that the open flames near propane tanks, spilled cooking oil and operating without a permit amounted to an unwanted public nuisance. But Gbollie’s makeshift stand of fold up tables and pots would remain where he wanted it, on the 1700 block of Broadway, according to court records.
Then something happened that streamlined the process. Gbollie allegedly attacked a permit inspector, beat the man’s car and blocked his exit during a heated May 30 confrontation. Within three weeks of the attack, Gbollie was brought up on misdemeanor charges of battery, vandalism and disturbing the peace by fighting, court records show.
Gbollie was released from jail, but with the provision that he stay away from the 1700 block of Broadway by order of the court. He pleaded not guilty on June 18, demanded a jury trial and received an upcoming court date of July 28.
On June 23, six days after the criminal charges were filed, the city filed a restraining order against Gbollie naming the inspector as a protected party, court records show.
The saga over this allegedly irate costermonger has been years in the making. City officials say they contacted Gbollie numerous times about complaints and self-evident code violations. Gbollie’s response has been to ignore the warnings, even after being told his belongings could be confiscated, according to Oakland police.
Pictures of the stand filed in court by the city show a hodgepodge of food ingredients, spices, cooking oils, pots, crates, and propane tanks powering a campfire stove. It all rests under an outdoor booth overhang with no logo or menu visible.
Gbollie finally allegedly told inspectors he was “tired of listening” and would continue to sell food until if and when he was “arrested or killed,” authorities said.
In addition to the alleged battery, police listed 17 code violations potentially committed by Gbollie, including maintaining a public nuisance, blighted property and illegal dumping, court records show.
