ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – An Orlando man was arrested on Monday after a bizarre attack on a Chinese restaurant, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
In an arrest affidavit, deputies said they responded to Pearl’s Chinese Restaurant along Central Florida Parkway on Monday afternoon after a 911 caller reported the attack.
Upon arrival, they learned that the man — identified as Richard Jarvis, 43 — had come to the restaurant and threatened to kill everyone inside before entering through the front door.
From there, deputies explained that Jarvis made his way into the kitchen, tossing and destroying over $4,000 worth of food and cooking instruments.
The owner tried to run away, but Jarvis struck him in the back with a shovel, telling the owner, “If you run away, I’ll kill you,” the affidavit states.
Deputies said they soon found Jarvis in the kitchen, armed with a shovel and shouting that “he had to destroy the food because all the Chinese were poisoning the food.”
Eventually, though, deputies managed to de-escalate the situation and took Jarvis into custody.
According to investigators, Jarvis said while being transported, “I had to destroy that restaurant. All Chinese restaurants are going to release a new strain of COVID on July 6. I am a prophet; I’m trying to save everyone.”
Now, Jarvis faces charges of assault, aggravated battery with a weapon, burglary, and criminal mischief. He is held without bond.
You can read through the full affidavit below:
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