The Cruisin’ Tikis is a Key West company that lets people go on floating tiki hut bars into the ocean. Recently however, one man was reported to have stolen one of these very distinctive boats. The stolen vessel was found by the U.S. Coast Guard at about 8:00 am near Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. The man in the boat was identified as Tyln Earl Morlang, a 26 year old originally from Independence, Missouri. 

When he was first found by police, he was slumped over the wheel of the boat. Later on, it was discovered that he was intoxicated. The boat was then returned to where it was stolen from: Hurricane Hole marina on Stock Island.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) found a lot of burn marks on the bar. There was a VHC radio that was partially melted and a coconut in a sink that had leftover fire residue inside. The cause of the fire was most likely from a 10-ounce can of lighter fluid on the boat’s deck. 

“He decided to build fires, to stay warm I guess,” said Cruisin’ Tikis owner Johnna Sleith. “He started mini fires in cup holders and water jugs. It melted a lot of stuff.” Morlang has been arrested for grand theft auto, resisting arrest, and giving false identification to an officer.

For more information click here