Coronavirus: NC man arrested after reopening tattoo parlor despite stay-at-home order

APEX, N.C. — A North Carolina businessman, who reopened his tattoo parlor in defiance of Gov. Roy Cooper’s stay-at-home order, was arrested by police Wednesday afternoon.

Matthew “Jax” Myers, 38, who owns Apex Tattoo Factory in Apex, was arrested 10 minutes after reopening his shop, the Raleigh News & Observer reported.

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Myers told the newspaper the governor’s order prevented him from making a living and feared he could lose his house and be unable to feed his three children.

“I hope this will inspire other people to do the same,” Myers told the News & Observer shortly before his arrest. “You can arrest one person, but you can’t arrest all these people.”

Amber Myers, the owner’s wife, told WRAL her husband tried to get a small business loan but was unable to do so. Matthew Myers said he was approved for insufficient unemployment payment after 13 attempts to sign up, the News & Observer reported.

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“He has spent years building up this business and for it to be taken away after being shut down for so long would be horrible,” Amber Meyers told WRAL.

The tattoo business is located in a strip center in Apex. A CBD store and a restaurant serving wings were open for business, the News & Observer reported.

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“Each of us is responsible for the choices we make, and those choices have consequences," Wake County Commission Chairman Greg Ford told the newspaper. "One way or another, we’re always held accountable. I wish him well.”

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