A Florida man was arrested after authorities say he ran naked through a Planet Fitness gym, attempted to start a fire, and ultimately hid inside a tanning bed before being taken into custody. The incident occurred late on the night of July 19 in Venice, Florida.
As The New York Post reported, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to reports of a naked man inside the Planet Fitness on South Tamiami Trail just before midnight.
Upon arrival, deputies observed smoke in the men's locker room and significant damage to the facility’s ceiling.
Naked Florida man found hiding in Planet Fitness tanning bed after starting fire, tearing down ceiling: ‘A little sun-kissed’ https://t.co/0w76vLCVTs pic.twitter.com/L27NIl8NWo
— New York Post (@nypost) July 24, 2025
Body camera footage released by the sheriff’s office shows ceiling tiles ripped out and scattered across multiple locker rooms.
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Deputies initially believed the suspect had climbed into the ceiling, with one officer heard over the radio saying, “It definitely looks like he is trying to get into the roof.”
The suspect, identified as 25-year-old Henrry Antunez-Avarad, allegedly became agitated after being asked to leave at closing time. Security footage showed him walking naked throughout the gym, entering various rooms, and lying on a hydro massage bed.
Deputies brought in a K-9 unit to assist in the search. The K-9 led officers to a closed tanning room, where Antunez-Avarad was found hiding inside one of the tanning beds.
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Deputies entered the room, located the suspect, and ordered him to exit the equipment. After he slid out, officers detained him and later wrapped a towel around him before placing him in a patrol vehicle.
Antunez-Avarad faces multiple charges including Indecent Exposure (Exposure of Sexual Organs), Arson, Fraud-Impersonation for providing false identification to law enforcement, Criminal Mischief (Damage to Property over $1,000), and Introduction of Contraband into a Detention Facility.
The last charge pertains to smuggling weapons or explosives into jail.
He is currently being held at the Lee County Jail with a court appearance scheduled for August 18, according to jail records.
Antunez-Avarad has a previous arrest history. In 2023, he was taken into custody for prowling, trespassing, and attempted burglary.
Authorities have not indicated a motive behind the July 19 incident. The gym sustained property damage exceeding $1,000. No injuries were reported.
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