NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Video obtained by Local 10 shows a North Miami Beach man who authorities say is a repeat arson suspect in a series of incidents in which bushes were set on fire outside a home in the area over a five-month span.
An arrest report states the first incident happened on Nov. 12, 2025, at a home in the 19200 block of Northeast 22nd Avenue.
North Miami Beach police said video showed 52-year-old Larry Michael Baum stopping outside the home with a dog and attempting to ignite the bushes, briefly causing a small fire that went out. They said Baum then fled the area on foot.
Police said a second incident occurred on March 3, when surveillance video again showed Baum walking a dog along the sidewalk, stopping in front of the same home, and igniting leaves in the bushes using what appeared to be a lit cigarette or cigar.
They said the homeowner confronted him, and Baum walked away. The homeowner then rushed outside to extinguish smoldering leaves, the report states.
Last month, police said the victim again saw Baum outside her home with a dog and observed him attempting to light an unknown object near the bushes.
Officers later located Baum nearby in possession of a cigar and a lighter, according to the report. The victim identified him as the same man involved in the earlier incidents.
Police said Baum was arrested April 13 in connection with both incidents.
Jail records show he was transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where he declined to speak with investigators but “did hint that he knew why he was there,” according to police.
Records show he is facing two counts each of second-degree arson and criminal mischief. As of Friday morning, he was no longer listed in Miami-Dade County jail online records.
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