Miami Beach Man Arrested After Lewd Act at Starbucks Sparks Outrage and Police Chase
MIAMI BEACH — A man who identified himself to authorities as a “homeless model” is facing multiple criminal charges after allegedly masturbating in full public view at a Miami Beach Starbucks, triggering a dramatic confrontation with police and widespread disgust among customers.
Blake Reign, 27, was arrested Friday after police responded to multiple calls from disturbed patrons at the Starbucks located near Collins Avenue and 29th Street. According to the arrest report, Reign’s obscene behavior lasted nearly 10 minutes, during which he exposed himself and masturbated in both indoor and outdoor seating areas.
Witness Video Captures the Disturbing Scene
One witness, Alyssa DiMaria, filmed the suspect with her phone and later spoke to local media.
“What are you [expletive] doing? Get the [expletive] out! It’s disgusting!” she can be heard shouting in the video.
DiMaria told reporters that she felt compelled to confront the man after witnessing the prolonged lewd behavior in a crowded public space. Her video quickly spread on social media, drawing public backlash and renewed scrutiny of the city’s homeless crisis.
Police Chase and Violent Arrest
When officers arrived at the scene, Reign reportedly fled on foot, prompting a brief chase through the Miami Beach neighborhood. A witness recorded the arrest, which turned violent as police repeatedly ordered Reign to comply.
According to the Miami Beach Police Department’s arrest report, officers deployed their dart-firing stun guns approximately eight times after Reign refused to surrender. The report also describes officers delivering “closed-fist distraction blows” and kicks to the lower back to subdue him. Reign was eventually restrained and transported to Mount Sinai Medical Center by Miami Beach Fire Rescue for medical evaluation.
Charges and Court Appearance
Reign was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and appeared in bond court over the weekend. He faces three criminal charges:
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Lewd and lascivious behavior
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Disorderly conduct in an establishment
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Resisting an officer without violence
A judge set Reign’s bond at $700, and as of Sunday, he remained in custody at the Miami-Dade County jail.
During the hearing, Reign told the court he works in Miami Beach but did not clarify the nature of his employment. His public defender did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Starbucks Responds
In a statement issued after the incident, Starbucks emphasized its zero-tolerance policy toward inappropriate behavior in its stores:
“Once alerted to the customer’s behavior, our partners took action and local authorities were immediately called. We want our stores to be a welcoming environment, and our partners are empowered to address any behavior that doesn’t meet our Third Place policy.”
Starbucks’ “Third Place” policy refers to creating a space between home and work that is safe and comfortable for everyone — a goal clearly violated in this case.
Ongoing Concerns in Tourist Corridor
The incident adds to a growing list of public indecency cases in Miami Beach, where residents and business owners have expressed concerns over increasing vagrancy, drug use, and public disturbances near tourist-heavy areas like Collins Avenue.
Local officials have not yet commented on whether Reign has a prior criminal history or outstanding warrants.
Conclusion: Outrage, Arrest, and an Ongoing Challenge
What started as an ordinary coffee stop turned into a disturbing spectacle that rattled customers, frustrated first responders, and once again highlighted the tensions between public safety and the city’s homelessness crisis. While Reign awaits his next court date, many Miami Beach residents are asking how such behavior could occur — and what can be done to prevent it from happening again.
Sources:
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Miami Beach Police Department Arrest Report
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WPLG Local 10 News: https://www.local10.com/news/local/2025/07/01/miami-beach-man-arrested-after-lewd-act-at-starbucks
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Starbucks Corporate Statement: https://stories.starbucks.com
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MDCR Inmate Records Search: https://www8.miamidade.gov/Apps/MDCR/InmateSearch/
