Homeless man accused of keying swastikas on vehicles in Miami Beach

Police say Timothy Merriam also slashed bicycle tires on rack

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – A 60-year-old homeless man has been arrested in connection with the recent keying of swastikas on vehicles in Miami Beach.

Timothy Merriam faces five counts of criminal mischief and seven counts of criminal mischief with an impairment of business operations.

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Miami Beach police said Merriam was arrested Feb. 26, accused of slashing the tires of several bicycles on a CitiBike rack near 13th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. Detectives said Merriam was seen on surveillance video slashing the tires.

Detectives said they later found evidence linking Merriam to the etching of swastikas on five vehicles in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood of Miami Beach.

Police said Merriam admitted to slashing the tires and keying the vehicles.

Merriam, who was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, is accused of slashing the tires of more than 100 bikes.


About the Author:

Peter Burke returned for a second stint of duty at Local 10 News in February 2014.