WATCH: Florida man with katana, ‘tiki torch’ arrested after setting multiple fires in state park, deputies say – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Pexels)
Martin County deputies arrested a 22-year-old man who set multiple fires in Savannas Preserve State Park using a lit tiki torch while armed with a katana. The incident unfolded on April 22 along Jensen Beach Boulevard, highlighting swift law enforcement response amid a potential wildfire threat in a sensitive natural area.[1][2] Morgan Grant Lentz faced charges that underscored the dangers of such reckless acts in Florida’s ecologically vital preserves.
Escalating Threats Before the Preserve Fires
Authorities reported that Lentz began his spree earlier that day by attempting to pour gasoline on several vehicles. He then targeted a motorcycle parked outside a local bar, dousing it with an accelerant before fleeing the scene as law enforcement arrived.[1] These initial actions raised immediate alarms, prompting a search for the suspect in the Jensen Beach area.
Witnesses soon spotted a man matching Lentz’s description walking along Jensen Beach Boulevard and NW Green River Parkway toward U.S. Highway 1. He carried what appeared to be a lit torch, which he used to ignite dry grass and vegetation in nearby spots.[2] The pattern suggested deliberate arson, escalating concerns as flames spread into the adjacent preserve.
Confrontation in Savannas Preserve State Park
Deputies tracked Lentz to Savannas Preserve State Park, a protected coastal habitat spanning thousands of acres. There, they found him holding a burning tiki torch and gripping a katana sword.[1] Body camera footage captured the tense moments as officers approached the armed suspect amid smoldering brush…