Deputies say a routine day at Pearl’s Chinese Restaurant on Central Florida Parkway turned into a demolition scene on Monday when an Orlando man stormed inside, tore through the kitchen, and struck the owner with a shovel. Investigators reported the kitchen in disarray and estimated about $4,000 in damage. The owner told deputies he had not given the man permission to enter and is listed in court records as willing to press charges.
What deputies say
According to ClickOrlando, deputies identified the suspect as 43-year-old Richard Jarvis. They say he first tried to force open a back door, then came in through the front and threatened to kill everyone inside. Jarvis then began heaving food, sauces, and cooking tools onto the floor, with deputies again putting the loss at roughly $4,000. Investigators say they were ultimately able to de-escalate the situation and take Jarvis into custody at the restaurant.
Arrest affidavit
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit, filed with the clerk and posted on Scribd, states that Jarvis went into the kitchen, grabbed a shovel, and hit the owner, identified as Jie Liu, in the back while warning, “If you run away, I’ll kill you.” Deputies wrote that they heard Jarvis shouting that “all the Chinese were poisoning the food” as he tore through supplies and equipment. The affidavit also quotes Jarvis as telling deputies, while he was being transported, “I had to destroy that restaurant. All Chinese restaurants are going to release a new strain of Covid on July sixth. I am a prophet; I’m trying to save everyone.” The filing includes photos from the scene and the owner’s written statement.
Charges and custody
According to the public complaint on file with the Orange County clerk and posted on Scribd, Jarvis faces multiple counts, including assault, aggravated battery with a weapon, burglary of a structure with an assault or battery, and criminal mischief for damage over $1,000. He is being held without bond pending prosecution. The complaint describes the condition of the restaurant and lists photographic evidence collected by deputies. Prosecutors have not indicated whether they plan to seek any additional enhancements.
Legal implications…