A vegan food truck vendor claimed that his food truck was vandalized, a noose was left on the truck, and his truck was ultimately set ablaze. Avonte Hartsfield, who is black and gay, claimed that there should be hate crime charges filed when the culprit was found.
Police investigated and Hartsfield has been charged with arson and insurance fraud.
In October 2021, KUSI News and many other media outlets shared a sad story about a vegan food truck.The owner, Avonte Hartsfield, then claimed that he would have to permanently close his “Rollin Roots” food truck after a series of what he said were arson attacks against him.. . . . Harstfield also said the attack on his food truck was a hate crime, as he is black and gay.But just over a year later, the facts have come out.Tuesday, Hartsfield was charged with both arson and insurance fraud in connection to the fire that destroyed his food truck.
According to KUSI, Hartsfield also set up a GoFundMe and is facing grand theft charges as a result.
Hartsfield quickly set up a GoFundMe with a $100,000 goal. The GoFundMe description read, “My food truck (Rollin Roots) was burglarized and vandalized multiple times. Throughout the ordeal I’ve had my power chords cut, my office and truck broken into and items stolen, there was a noose hanging from the door to my office, and finally on October 3rd my truck was burned down completely. The police are in the middle of investigating at this time but no witnesses have come forward and there doesn’t look like much hope for holding anyone responsible.”. . . . His GoFundMe raised over $102,000, and is now facing an additional charge of grand theft because of it.
Watch the report here.
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