man appearing to start a trash can fire<\/a>, authorities announced a potential break in the case.<\/p>\nAccording to police, 45-year-old Franklin Lee was taken into custody, Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n
In Lee\u2019s arrest report, officers state \u201cthe defendant matched the description of a wanted subjected reference an arson investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Monday morning incident was captured by the surveillance system outside of the Sherbrooke Hotel near Collins and Ninth Street.<\/p>\n
As flames engulfed the trash can, firefighters were seen responding to the area.<\/p>\n
In a statement shared with 7News, Miami Beach Police said the investigation into who started the fire was a high priority.<\/p>\n
The Miami Beach Police Department takes any act of arson incredibly seriously, as it poses a significant threat to the safety of our community.\u00a0<\/p>\n
An internal flyer told officers to remain alert for somebody that matched Lee\u2019s description.<\/p>\n
Investigators later visited Mitch Novick, the owner of the nearby hotel, to see if the surveillance footage could assist their efforts to identify the individual.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2018Hello, Mr. Novick. We need your assistance in solving a crime,\u2019\u201d said Novick while speaking with 7News on Monday.<\/p>\n
Upon checking his security system, Novick spotted the growing fire.<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw this trash can ablaze,\u201d said Novick.<\/p>\n
A small explosion could be heard coming from the trash can as the fire rapidly grew, with flames shooting several feet into the air.<\/p>\n
Prior to the fire starting, a man could be seen behaving strangely around the trash can.<\/p>\n
\u201cA guy walked up, stuck his body in, waist up, walked away, did an about-face, came back,\u201d said Novick.<\/p>\n
On his second trip to the trash can, he can be seen appearing to light a match that he tossed inside before leaving the area.<\/p>\n
As the fire consumed the trash can, several people, including a family pushing a stroller, walked by it.<\/p>\n
More footage provided by Novick captured the moments officers spotted Lee walking south along Collins, Tuesday morning. You can see the officer\u2019s SUV make an immediate U-turn after recognizing the man, with more officers pulling up to the area on golf carts.<\/p>\n
Lee was placed in handcuffs and taken into custody shortly after.<\/p>\n
News of his arrest delighted Novick, who played a small part in helping authorities track him down.<\/p>\n
\u201cUsually when I\u2019m involved, police have a high success rate,\u201d said Novick.<\/p>\n
While investigators believe Lee is responsible for the act of arson, he currently only faces three charges of criminal mischief and a charge for cocaine possession.<\/p>\n
Copyright 2026 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.<\/p>\n
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