Couple Caught on Camera Stealing American Flags

A couple was caught on surveillance camera stealing American flags, which were hung by volunteers for the 4th of July. The incident happened in Coatesville, Pa.

"I just kind of felt hurt. And I felt slighted and I felt like someone slapped me in the face," John Pawlowski told FOX 29.

John has good reason to be upset. John helped put the flags up with his own hands. Surveillance video shows a man and a woman swiping three American flags from the 300 block of Lincoln Highway, which were allegedly taken just a couple hours after 4th of July fireworks.

"A lot of heartache, a lot of pain. It makes you come to tears. You work so hard for a city that's great," said Coatesville City Council woman Marie Lawson.

City council woman Marie Lawson was part of an all-volunteer effort two years ago to bring some city spirit back to Coatesville by placing 70 flags on the city's main street during every federal holiday. The VFW Post 287 donated 70 of them.

Now, police want to find those involved in taking the flags, saying it's more about principle.

"We're looking at disorderly conduct, criminal mischief, some theft of a total of 250 dollars, but it's bigger than that. Coatesvillians deserve better than that and we'd like to bring them to justice," said Coatesville Police Department Sgt. Rodger Ollis.

For John, although it's upsetting,the theft won't stop him from hoisting old glory next holiday.

"I can't imagine anyone doing that, what would motivate someone to do that, somehow the flag is special," John said.

FOX 29 is told within hours of the news getting out there someone already has come forward to donate funds to replace the stolen flags. If you know who these people are in the video, please call Coatesville police.