A man in South Daytona, Florida, was charged with arson and will face a possible hate crime charge after setting his black neighbor's 2002 car on fire out of envy. 

Joseph Minor, 56, decided to set Ronald Sweet's car ablaze. While Sweet was washing and waxing his 2002 Mercury sedan before Minor's racist arson act, the man came out of his home, called the car "flashy," and began yelling profanities and threatening Sweet.

“I hate you, n****r,” Minor said to Sweet, according to The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Minor also harassed Sweet and told him his "days were numbered."

Sweet and his fiancee, Cecilia Jones, went back into their apartment after the altercation. After about 10 minutes, Sweet heard a loud bang outside. He saw Minor walk away from the flaming Sedan at 12:35 a.m. Sunday, June 3. 

"It's absolutely a hate crime. It's absolutely because apparently, he don't like colored people," Sweet said. "He told me my days were numbered. I won't be flashing anymore."

Minor has denied setting the car on fire even though witnesses said he was around the vehicle at the time of the boom.

Instead of confessing to the arson, Minor told police that his apartment complex is a haven for drug dealers and completely unsafe. He deflected once more when asked about calling the police. Minor said he thought the police could not do anything. 

According to Click Orlando, Minor has previously harassed the couple. He has threatened their lives and property per the affidavit, and authorities said he might face possible hate crime charges.  

"The negative comments he was making toward his neighbor, indicating that he hates them specifically for that," South Daytona Police Lt. Mark Cheatham said. "That could lead to something along those lines, and we're going to charge him. But we need more probable cause and more information before we can go that avenue."

Authorities charged Minor with arson causing damage to a structure and criminal mischief and damage to property of $1,000 or more.