A former employee of Super China Buffet is facing a hate crime charge among other felonies for allegedly trying to set the restaurant ablaze after he was fired.
Hermelindo Guevara-Castillo, 38, was booked into the Racine County Jail Sunday morning after Mount Pleasant police responded to Super China Buffet, 5201 Washington Ave., for a report of a disturbance near the back door, according to a story in The Journal Times.
Guevara-Castillo reportedly poured oil on the back door, steps, and the back of the building. When officers apprehended him, Guevara-Castillo had oil on his clothes and hands and had a lighter in his possession, the story continues.
The owner of the restaurant confirmed he recently fired Guevara-Castillo and that Guevara-Castillo had threatened to burn down the restaurant.
Guevara-Castillo was booked into the Racine County Jail on felony charges of placing combustible materials for attempted arson; crimes against certain people, hate crime; and disorderly conduct. He is expected to make his initial appearance Tuesday when the courts reopen after the Memorial Day holiday.