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The popular sailor who weathered Hurricane Milton on his small vessel in Tampa, Florida, allegedly has a complicated history … with police claiming he once attempted to set a woman ablaze.
The reported incident involving Joseph Malinowski — widely recognized as “Lieutenant Dan” on TikTok — is said to have occurred in February 2023, according to the New York Post, citing records from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office.
The Post reports that police allege Malinowski was in a dispute with a woman named Sarah Perry while she was smoking a cigarette approximately 20 feet away from him, near West Palm Beach. She was accompanied by her brother and a companion.
According to law enforcement, during the disagreement, Malinowski began to pour gasoline on the bench situated between himself and the woman who was walking toward him with a lit cigarette.
Malinowski “uses crutches, grabbed the red jerry can, and splashed gasoline on Perry,” according to the police report.
Deputy Sheriff Ryan Herzog stated that Perry felt her life was threatened as the gasoline could potentially ignite from her lit cigarette.
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The New York Post has published images from the purported occurrence … showcasing the crimson fuel container that authorities assert Malinowski was utilizing along with the dark scorch mark on the concrete bench.
Deputy Sheriff Herzog reported arriving to discover Lt. Dan drenched and reeking of gasoline … stating he ultimately concluded that he “did deliberately toss gasoline” on Perry.
Authorities detained Malinowski and reportedly filed charges against him for aggravated battery involving a lethal weapon.
In the lead-up to the incident, Malinowski garnered significant attention on TikTok while weathering Hurricane Milton on his small vessel … proclaiming his faith that God would safeguard him, drawing parallels with the biblical tale of Noah’s Ark.