Man accused of slashing ‘giant inflatable FIFA ball’ in Miami Beach

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — A 34-year-old man was arrested Monday on accusations that he slashed a “giant inflatable FIFA ball” that was on display in Miami Beach, authorities said.

Read more Police officers chase naked man after burglary in Miami Beach

According to an arrest report, Jorden Stephen Perozo, of Miami Beach, was arrested on a criminal mischief charge.

Police said the Uruguay FIFA ball was on display at 71^st Street and Rue Vendome as Miami began hosting some of the World Cup matches on Monday, including Uruguay vs. Saudi Arabia.

According to the report, a witness told officers that he saw a man slashing the inflatable ball and then quickly leaving on an electric scooter.

Police said city cameras helped officers locate Perozo as he was sitting inside a parked Nissan sedan at 81^st Street and Hawthorne Avenue.

Read more Miami-Dade commission votes to file eminent domain to acquire just under 10 acres on Fisher Island

A “show up” was conducted with the witness and he identified Perozo as the man who destroyed the inflatable ball, authorities said.

Police said Perozo was transported to the police station where he initially told detectives that he was intoxicated and didn’t remember anything, but then shortly afterward, provided detectives with “a full confession.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, Perozo was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $2,500 bond. Online jail records show he was out on felony bond at the time of his arrest for charges of fleeing/eluding police, resisting an officer without violence and disorderly conduct/breach of the peace.

Read more Miami-Dade commissioners vote unanimously for new mental health center