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Lighthouse Point, FL - A South Florida firefighter is facing multiple felony charges after police said he allegedly chased down and struck a group of teenagers who rang his doorbell as part of a prank.
According to Lighthouse Point police, 31 year old Alex Michael Lutz turned himself in on Monday in connection with an incident that occurred around 9 p.m. on November 23rd at his home on Northeast 24th Terrace.
Investigators said a group of teens drove through the neighborhood on a golf cart while playing a game of ringing doorbells and running away.
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Police stated that Lutz allegedly ran outside with a baseball bat, pursued the teens, and eventually caught up to them on Northeast 45th Street.
According to the arrest report, surveillance video captured Lutz allegedly striking both the golf cart and several of the teens while threatening them.
Officers reported that multiple teens suffered injuries, including swelling, bruising, and a dislocation.
The police report noted that Lutz’s mother first contacted authorities, telling a dispatcher that her husband and son had chased after the teens.
Lutz’s father later told officers that his son worked for Highland Beach Fire Rescue and was refusing to exit the home at the time police arrived.
Lutz has been charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and one count of criminal mischief.
A judge set his bond at $35000 and ordered that he not possess weapons or have contact with the alleged victims.
Highland Beach Fire Rescue placed Lutz on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation.