Man Charged With Attempted Arson After Burning Paper Bag Inside Miami Beach Police Station Lobby

Incident reported in early-morning hours; fire extinguished quickly and no injuries were reported

A man faces an attempted arson charge after Miami Beach police said he ignited a paper bag inside the lobby of the Miami Beach Police Department, an incident authorities described as brief but potentially hazardous in a public building where officers and residents routinely seek assistance.

Police said the man entered the station during the early-morning hours on a Monday in late January 2026 carrying a white fast-food bag. Authorities said he asked officers for permission to remain in the lobby to eat and warm up, citing cold conditions outside. Officers allowed him to sit on a bench in the lobby, police said.

After finishing his meal, the man allegedly set the paper bag on fire inside the lobby, according to police. An officer extinguished the flames by stepping on the burning bag, and the fire did not spread. No injuries were reported, and police indicated the incident resulted in limited damage, if any, because the flames were put out immediately.

Who was arrested and what police said about motive

Authorities identified the suspect as Justo Monteagudo, 68, and said he is homeless. Police said he was taken to a hospital for evaluation after the incident and was expected to appear in court the following day.

Police officials said officers regularly offer shelter placement and other resources to unhoused residents during severe or inclement weather conditions, including cold temperatures. In this case, police said the suspect had been offered assistance in the days leading up to the incident but declined before the alleged fire in the lobby.

Why the case is being scrutinized

Even small fires inside government buildings can pose outsized risks, including smoke exposure, rapid flame spread in enclosed areas, and disruption of emergency services. Police stations also function as 24/7 public-access spaces, which means any fire in a lobby can affect civilians seeking help, people in custody being transported, and staff responding to calls for service.

The case also arrives amid heightened local attention to alleged fire-setting incidents at public safety facilities. In a separate Miami-Dade case from late January 2026, prosecutors filed arson and attempted-murder-related charges against a woman accused of bringing gasoline into a sheriff’s office station and igniting it in the lobby.

What happens next

• The attempted arson charge will proceed through bond and first-appearance hearings, where conditions of release and potential protective orders may be addressed.

• Any hospital evaluation and related records could become relevant to competency, treatment needs, or court-ordered services, depending on filings and judicial rulings.

• Investigators typically document scene conditions, recover physical evidence, and review surveillance video when available to establish the sequence of events and intent elements required under Florida law.

Miami Beach police said the fire was extinguished before it could spread and that no injuries were reported.

The case remains active, and additional details may emerge through court filings and future hearings.