Florida man burned store to run 'Arabs out of our country'

Richard Leslie Lloyd, 64, set fire to a convenience store in Port St. Luscie, Fla., to “run the Arabs out of of our country," according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office. Photo courtesy of St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office.

March 12 (UPI) -- A man told investigators he set a convenience store on fire in South Florida to "run the Arabs out of our country."

Richard Leslie Lloyd, 64, mistakenly thought the owners of the Met Mart in Port St. Lucie were Muslims.

"It's unfortunate that Mr. Lloyd made the assumption that the store owners were Muslim when, in fact, they are of Indian descent," Sheriff Ken Mascara said to WPEC-TV. "Regardless, we will not tolerate violence based on age, race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, homeless status, mental or physical disability."

Lloyd was arrested and is charged with first-degree arson of a dwelling with people present. On Sunday, he was being held in the county jail on a $30,000 bond.

Read more: www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/03/12/Sheriff-Florida-man-burned-store-to-run-Arabs-out-of-our-country/3561489338019/