Brookline firefighter charged with beating homeless man over slow food order

A Brookline firefighter was arrested after he was charged with beating up a homeless man who took too long ordering food at Anna’s Taqueria.

The fight took place Sunday night when the firefighter lost his patience while waiting in line at the Harvard Avenue eatery. Joseph Ward, 37, of Dorchester brawled with the victim outside of the restaurant.

A witness told police that Ward pushed, punched and kicked the victim before throwing food and a glass bottle at him while he was down. Witnesses also said that Ward mounted the man and continued to beat on him after he was on the ground.

Ward, a 10-year veteran, was not on duty at the time. According to the Boston Herald, a woman screamed at Ward to stop hitting the man. Ward then fled the scene.

The victim was treated for his injuries at Beth Israel Hospital.

Ward was arraigned in Brookline District Court on Tuesday morning on assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He was released on personal recognizance despite the prosecution’s request for $10,000 cash bail. Ward has been placed on administrative leave until further investigation.