It happened at Mel's Diner on the Sunset Strip. Ron and his posse (spelled P-O-S-S-E) were chowing down when they were allegedly confronted by a paparazzo named Nasim Saleh. We're told Saleh began taking pictures and getting too in their business, when someone at the table stood up and objected.

Our sources say that's when Saleh allegedly pepper sprayed the dude, sending fumes wafting around the diner. Saleh was arrested for criminal use of tear gas, a felony, and taken into custody. We're told he identified himself as a TMZ photog, which he is not.

But here's the best part -- we're told during the incident, Ron Jeremy just kept eating. That's why he is a rockstar in our eyes! - TMZ Story

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