Lake Wales business vandalized by Molotov cocktails, graffiti saying ‘Trump Civil War'
LAKE WALES, Fla. (WFLA) — A Lake Wales man said he was shocked to learn somebody threw Molotov cocktails into his business.
When German Portillo pulled into his Lake Wales office Thursday morning, he was stunned by what he saw.
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'Why do we have to go all the way to this? We don't have any issues with any customers,' Portillo said.
Two Molotov cocktails had been thrown inside. They scorched the floor and filled the space with smoke.
'I don't know what to think. When you see things like that, you say, 'Well, what if it happened when I was here in the middle of the day?'' Portillo said.
Outside, decals covering his windows were vandalized with paint, which has since been cleaned up. Police said the suspects spray painted the words 'Trump Civil War.'
'There were writings on the graffiti that we can't hide,' Portillo said.
Portillo told 8 on your side he's owned Univista Insurance in Lake Wales for eight years, but had only been open at this location for three weeks.
'What is the message that you want, that you want to give? Because apparently there was a message sent. You want me out of here? Why? You want me to do business? Why don't you like me? Why? That's my question,' Portillo said.
Portillo said he's thankful no one was hurt and hopes the person responsible is held accountable. Investigators said they do have evidence of the suspect's car, and they are using digital evidence to help solve the crime.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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