BROOKLINE, Mass. — A Brookline firefighter has been arrested after police say he beat up a homeless man for taking too long to order his food at a restaurant.

Police say 37-year-old Joseph Ward, of Boston, punched the man in the face five to seven times, kicked him and threw food and a bottle at him outside of Anna’s Taqueria in Brookline on Sunday night.

The victim was taken to the hospital with a laceration to his eyebrow.

WFXT-TV reports Ward did not answer the door Monday night. He is charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Town Administrator Mel Kleckner says officials are aware of Ward’s arrest and he’s been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation.