50-foot American flag stolen from thrift shop owned by navy veteran

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WSMV) - Someone stole a 50-foot American flag off the pole from a Murfreesboro thrift shop.

Jennifer Sanchez, Manager of Steered Straight Thrift Store, said she came into work this week and noticed their new flag was missing. After a process of elimination, she decided to check the cameras.

“We figured OK. I see it Friday. Yup, I see it Saturday. OK, I see it Sunday. Then Monday, we looked at Monday’s camera, and our camera was actually turned,” Sanchez said. “It was moved, and so I’m like OK something happened there.”

Around 3:30 am Monday, a man appears in the surveillance video. He looks around, covers his head, and moments later moves the camera.

Sanchez believes the man in the footage stole the flag that night.

“It’s disheartening, to say the least,” said Darla DeLeon, Owner of Steered Straight Thrift Store.

Darla owns the shop, and her husband, Michael DeLeon, is a Navy veteran. According to Darla, the flag meant a lot to Michael.

“He said my flag is gone. My flag is flying up on the flagpole. I said yes, it’s gone,” Darla explained. “He just started crying and said why, why would someone do that.”

Since their mission is to help others, the incident was a huge disappointment. However, they said their doors are always open despite the person’s actions.

“Even if he doesn’t get caught, and he comes back in again and goes shopping with us… he can still come shopping with us,” Sanchez said.

On March 16, police released a surveillance video of the person of interest in the theft of the flag. Police say the video shows an unknown man walking to the surveillance camera outside of the Steered Street Thrift Store and looking at the flag before trying to move it out of the view of the flagpole.

In addition to the flag, police say that a 15x25 foot flag, metal cable, and clip valued at around $1,500 was taken. Police ask if you have any additional information on the suspect, please call 629-201-5536.

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