Reward offered to catch Apache Junction military flag thieves
Oct 25, 2012, 6:01 PM | Updated: 6:01 pm
APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz. — Apache Junction police are looking for thieves who stole several military flags right off of their poles.
The six flags were stolen from a veteran’s memorial near Apache Trail and Phelps Dr. during the weekend of Oct. 14th. They had been at that site since the memorial was dedicated on May 2.
“The flagpoles were installed, and the flags were installed of all of the military branches [along with a P.O.W. flag]. The Monday after the weekend, we discovered they were missing,” said Apache Junction Police Cpt. Troy Mullender.
Mullender said police have no idea who took the flags or why they were stolen. A reward is being offered for the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible.
“The reward is starting around $500, and will increase with the quality and quantity of the information we receive,” he said.
Whoever stole the flags did it by cutting the rope that secured them to the poles. Mullender said he has no idea why only the military flags were stolen.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9399 Commander Bob Stark said he and other members of his post are upset about the theft and have decided to take action.
“I am donating Army, Navy, Marine, Coast Guard, Air Force and P.O.W. flags to the city to replace what was taken,” said Stark.
The city has already replaced the flags, at a cost of $680. The flags that Stark donates will be stored for backup.
Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to call Apache Junction police at (480) 982-8260.
