A Novato man was arrested at a McDonald’s restaurant after allegedly throwing a synthetic Christmas tree, verbally abusing employees and disparaging Mexican immigrants, police said.

Craig Gienty, 52, was booked into Marin County Jail on suspicion of disturbing the peace with offensive language. The Marin County District Attorney’s Office filed related charges.

The incident occurred at about 5 a.m. Monday at the downtown McDonald’s on Redwood Boulevard, said Novato police Capt. Matt McCaffrey.

Gienty “was asked to leave after he decided to take off his shoes and have a seat upon the trash bins,” McCaffrey said in an email. “Gienty apparently took exception to this and threw a decorative Christmas tree which was situated near the front counter.

“During the episode, Gienty gave his opinion about people of Mexican heritage in the country stating they should go back.”

Police arrived and took Gienty to the county jail. The McDonald’s is about 50 feet behind police headquarters.

Gienty made an initial appearance Tuesday in Marin Superior Court, where his case was assigned to a public defender. He delayed entering a plea and remained in custody Tuesday evening in lieu of $837.

The owner of the restaurant declined to comment on the incident.