UTICA  — A 51-year-old man is accused of attacking employees at an Oneida Street convenience store and trying to light the building on fire, according to the Utica Police Department.

Police said Ronald Rickard, of Utica, entered the store around 2:30 p.m. Saturday and threatened the employees, by yelling at them, calling them "terrorists" and saying they were going to burn. Police said Rickard then started spraying the employees and the store with an unknown substance, which he attempted to light on fire.

Some officers in Oneida Square were notified and they found Rickard a short distance away. He was taken into custody.

No one was injured inside the store, police stated.

Rickard is charged with attempted second-degree arson and attempted second-degree assault, police said, noting that both charges are considered hate crimes due to the nature of Rickard's threats and actions. Rickard is scheduled to appear in Utica City Court.