Man Arrested After Being Found on Stolen Floating Tiki Hut Off Key West

Tylyn Earl Morlang, 26, of Independence, Missouri, was arrested after being discovered slumped over the wheel of a floating tiki hut off Key West, Florida. The incident, reported by local media, unfolded near Fort Zachary Taylor State Park where a U.S. Coast Guard crew located the vessel.

The tiki hut in question is one of the floating, bring-your-own-booze bars run by Cruisin’ Tikis. Powered by a 30-horsepower outboard motor, these tiki huts are rented for daytime cruising and anchored gatherings — but in this case the company had reported the craft stolen the night before authorities found Morlang aboard.

When Coast Guard personnel boarded the tiki hut, they found Morlang appearing intoxicated and unresponsive behind the wheel. He was taken into custody on the scene and transported to a nearby hospital after telling officers he had heart problems. While at the hospital, the situation escalated when Morlang reportedly fought with law enforcement officers and was subdued with a stun gun.

According to reports from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers, Morlang resisted attempts to place him in a patrol car and shouted, “I’m not going to jail!” Despite his protests, he was ultimately arrested and charged.

Morlang faces a felony count of grand theft with damage exceeding $1,000, along with misdemeanor charges for resisting arrest and providing false identification to a law enforcement officer. The damage allegation stems from burn marks and heat-related melting observed on the tiki hut’s bar and equipment.

Owners of the tiki hut reported that several items had been scorched or melted. Investigators say Morlang used a 10-ounce can of lighter fluid to start small fires in cup holders, inside water jugs, and within a coconut to stay warm overnight. Those improvised fires left visible burn marks and partially melted a VHF radio that was onboard, contributing to the damage estimate that supported the grand theft charge.

Johnna Sleith, one of the owners of the tiki hut company, told reporters the fires “melted a lot of stuff,” underscoring both the cost of repairs and the safety risk introduced by open flames on a small floating platform. The situation required a U.S. Coast Guard response to bring the tiki hut back to port; personnel from Station Key West returned the craft to shore after securing it.

The arrest raises questions about unauthorized use of rental vessels and the responsibility of individuals who operate them. Cruisin’ Tikis provides rentals designed for recreational use, and company representatives had reported the unit missing shortly before law enforcement located it. The owners were able to identify the tiki hut and flagged the disappearance to local authorities.

Law enforcement handled both the recovery of the stolen property and the medical evaluation of the suspect. Officials reported that Morlang initially claimed health concerns, which prompted the hospital visit, but the ensuing resistance at the hospital led to the use of a stun gun and his subsequent transport to jail.

Local authorities charged Morlang based on the combination of the reported theft, the damage to the vessel, the altercation with officers, and the claim that he provided false identification. The case is expected to proceed through the local criminal justice system, where the reported damages and the felony theft charge will be reviewed.

This incident highlights the hazards of operating a small, rented vessel under the influence and the additional dangers of using flammable materials in confined, marine environments. The owners of the tiki hut will likely assess repair costs and address security measures for future rentals as the legal process continues.