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.
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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.
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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: