American flags stolen on Fourth of July

GREENWICH, Conn. (WTNH) -- Police are searching for answers after flag poles lining the East Putnam Avenue Bridge in Greenwich were either bent or damaged, and a half dozen flags were stolen on the Fourth of July.

Residents and town officials in Greenwich say it's upsetting anytime someone vandalizes the flag, but it was especially upsetting that it happened on July 4.

"I don't know anyone in their right mind who would behave this way," said the town's First Selectman Peter Tesei.

"I think it's awful that someone went forward and did that," said Patrick Gilrane. "It's just a bad statement on someone's bad behavior."

Sometime in the early morning hours of July 4th, flags on the East Putnam Avenue Bridge in Greenwich were stolen and several flag poles damaged.

"I get awful upset when I hear that. I'm a Vietnam vet and I know a lot of vets and my son was hurt in Iraq and had a lot of operations, his back is still messed up, and for people to do that I think it's disgusting," said Leroy Frost.

"I thought that it was someone who wasn't American because Independence Day is very special and it surprised me that someone would do something like that," said James Madigan.

A nearby business has handed over its surveillance tape to police to help catch whoever's behind this.

Within hours of learning the flags were stolen, town officials replaced them with new ones and now they say they're going to do everything they can to make sure whoever's behind this is held responsible.

Tesei knows just what he'd say to the perp.
 
"One, what you did was foolish, stupid. It shows great disrespect for the US, especially for the men and women who serve to protect us," he said. "And that you really need to get some help, because anyone who would be so juvenile or so warped to do something like this clearly needs to get some sort of help and counseling."

"I don't know how to put it in words, but the flag is the heart of our world," Madigan said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Greenwich Police Department at (203) 622-8000.