Man Accused of Setting Fire After No Refund

A homeless man was behind bars Thursday on suspicion of lighting a trash can on fire outside a Santa Monica Jack in the Box after employees refused to refund him.

Erthell Grant, 65, was arrested March 29 on suspicion of arson. He is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail, according to jail records.

Grant is accused of setting fire to the trashcan outside of Jack in the Box at 802 Santa Monica Blvd., according to Santa Monica Police.

Grant told police he believed the restaurant was trying to poison him and would not give back his money.

The restaurant's manager reported that a customer bought the man a meal, but shortly after, he walked up to the counter with a note stating that "they were trying to poison him like other local establishments and wanted a refund," police said. The manager refused because the man did not make a purchase.

Grant is accused of walking out the door and throwing a lit cigarette into the trash, causing a fire.