Miami Beach police arrested Yaqun Lu, 41, on Saturday. She faces a criminal charge after molesting sea turtles or eggs.
According to an arrest report, officers saw Lu using a wooden stick to hit a nest.
The nest was in an area closed to the public by sticks and yellow tape.
Lu is a Chinese citizen who has registered an address in Hudsonville, Michigan. The report indicates that the Chinese Consulate in Houston has been informed of the arrest.
Sea turtles are protected by federal law and Florida law prohibits harming them or their offspring.
