Bartender’s tip leads police to men who burned Florida buoy

(NewsNation Now) — A bartender in Florida helped police crack an arson case after he recognized one of the suspects because he didn’t leave a tip when at the bar earlier that night.

Police in Key West released a webcam video showing men setting fire to a Christmas tree, which led to thousands of dollars in damage to the city’s landmark buoy, which was right in front of it.

After a bartender saw the video, he recognized one of the men had ordered drinks from him earlier that night and had not left a tip. He and his manager pulled receipts from that night and watched their own security video to identify the suspects.

Investigators then arrested a 21-year-old from Texas and a 22-year-old from Florida on charges of criminal mischief.

City workers have restored the buoy, which marks the southernmost point of the United States.