A man was caught on surveillance video cutting down and stealing an American flag at a Florida American Veterans Association (DAV) branch.
Surveillance video shared by the chapter on social media shows a man wearing a yellow T-shirt and jeans inspecting a flagpole at a nonprofit in Titusville, Florida, before beginning vandalism Tuesday night. Ta.
He is then seen picking up what appears to be a knife and cutting off the string of the flagpole.
Old Glory undulates on the ground and we see a man reach into the ground and crumple the flag.
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Jonathan Wayne Smith, 42, is charged with criminal mischief, petty larceny and burglary of a vacant structure, according to booking records. (DAV Chapter 109, Titusville, FL)
Authorities said the suspect vandalized national symbols and also damaged an outdoor grill and seating area regularly used by veterans.
commander john dunn told FOX 35 He said he was heartbroken to see the flag fall to the ground and disappointed that crimes like this are taking resources away from veterans.
Overnight, his heartbreak turned to heartfelt gratitude.
“I came home pretty angry last night,” he said. “But after seeing the support on Facebook and how they found this guy within an hour, we knew his name and whereabouts within an hour. Too It spread so quickly that I couldn’t have imagined it. It’s amazing!”
Jonathan Wayne Smith was caught on camera cutting down and stealing an American flag. (DAV Chapter 109, Titusville, FL)
Dunn shared on Facebook that people in the community jumped in to support the veteran nonprofit.
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“These folks gifted DAV 109 with a brand new Pit Boss pellet grill to replace the grill that was destroyed last Tuesday. In addition, two more couples are donating grills to the branch. ” Dunn wrote. “Thank you to everyone who has shown support for this chapter. along with donations. ”
Jonathan Wayne Smith stole and destroyed an American flag at the Disabled American Veterans Branch in Titusville, Florida. (DAV Chapter 109, Titusville, FL)
Titusville Police confirmed Friday afternoon that they had captured the vandal.
Jonathan Wayne Smith, 42, of Mims, Florida, was charged with robbery, criminal mischief and petty larceny, according to the Titusville Police Department.
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Smith was found around 3pm on Friday and taken into custody without incident.
Authorities said he was booked into the Brevard County Jail and is currently being held without bail.
