Man accused of trespassing at Miami Seaquarium, vandalizing announcer’s booth

MIAMI — A man was arrested Monday after deputies with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said he allegedly broke into the Miami Seaquarium and was caught spray-painting the announcer’s booth.

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Deputies said they responded around 11:40 a.m. to the Seaquarium after a security guard reported a “burglary in progress.”

According to an arrest report, the securty guard told dispatchers that a man, who deputies identified as 45-year-old Paul Vargas, had arrived on a bicycle and was seen on surveillance cameras.

Deputies said they entered the Seaquarium and, at around 11:55 a.m., found Vargas inside the Golden Dome spray-painting the announcer’s booth before they arrested him.

According to his arrest report, Vargas admitted to “entering the Seaquarium and vandalizing it once inside the structure.”

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Deputies said he was arrested and transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

Jail records show Vargas is facing one count each of burglary of an unoccupied structure and criminal mischief.

As of Tuesday morning, he remained at TGK, where his bond was listed as “to be set.”

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