Man accused of masturbating at Starbucks in Miami Beach, police say

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – A 27-year-old man who identified himself as a homeless model is facing criminal charges for masturbating in public view at a Starbucks, police said.

Records show Blake Reign was at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on Sunday after officers arrested him on Friday in Miami Beach. Alyssa DiMaria said she was at Starbucks when she used her phone to record him, as she said, “What are you [expletive] doing? Get the [expletive] out! It’s disgusting!”

DiMaria said he did it for about 10 minutes. Officers responded to the area of Collins Avenue and 29th Street after witnesses in the indoor and outdoor area of the Starbucks reported Reign’s behavior. There was a foot chase.

Blake Reign remained in jail on Sunday in Miami-Dade County after officers arrested him on Friday. (MDCR)

A witness recorded a video of the arrest. An officer shouts, “Sit the [expletive] down!” Reign did not. The video also captured the sound of the officers’ dart-firing stun guns. They shot Reign about eight times, used “closed fist distraction blows” and kicked him in the lower back area, according to the arrest report.

Fire Rescue personnel took Reign to Mount Sinai Medical Center. When Reign appeared in bond court, he told the judge he works in Miami Beach. Reign is facing charges of lewd and lascivious behavior, disorderly conduct in an establishment, and resisting an officer without violence. A judge set his bond at $700.

Starbucks released a statement

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.

Read the arrest form’s narrative

Blake Reign (MBPD)

About the Authors

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.

Bridgette Matter joined the Local 10 News team as a reporter in July 2021. Before moving to South Florida, she began her career in South Bend, Indiana and spent six years in Jacksonville as a reporter and weekend anchor.

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