Luis Garcés Charged with Arson After Setting Miami Home Ablaze Over Santeria Items

Luis Fernando Garcés, a 58-year-old Miami-Dade resident, was arrested and charged with first-degree arson and domestic violence after allegedly setting fire to his bedroom following a heated dispute with his mother, who had thrown away his Santeria religious items. The incident began when Garcés was found performing a Santeria ritual with fire, prompting his mother to dispose of his supplies while he was away. Upon returning home and discovering the missing items, Garcés reportedly became enraged, destroyed property for hours, and ultimately barricaded himself in his room, where he set a fire inside a dresser drawer. Family members, including his brother Carlos, intervened by breaking into the room to rescue Garcés and partially extinguish the fire before authorities arrived. Garcés was hospitalized for smoke inhalation and injuries from self-inflicted cuts, with authorities noting messages written in blood on the walls. The court denied Garcés bail and issued protective orders for the family.