BARTLESVILLE, Okla. — A political statement was torn and burned in a Bartlesville neighborhood. Now, a group of four people are wanted by police.
A Trump flag was taken and set on fire. It belonged to Hunter Curtis.
“I bought that flag like two months ago," Curtis said. "I didn’t put it out because I thought it was going to happen.”
His flag was taken down from the porch midnight Saturday.
“More than likely, these kids probably live out in the Oak Park area. So, we’re going to try to find out who they are,” Bartlesville Police Captain Jay Hastings said.
Curtis warned his neighbors of what happened.
“People are scared. People think they’re going to burn their house down or burn their flags and all that stuff,” Curtis said.
The flag already has a replacement. Curtis bought the same flag and put it in the same spot as the other. It said "Trump 2020 no more [expletive]."
“Political views are political views," Curtis said. "If you want to knock on my door and ask me about it, I can 100% give you my opinion, but burning stuff down is not okay with me.”
Damaging the $40 property is a misdemeanor and the consequences become more serious with burning.
“That could be considered a fourth-degree arson," Captain Hastings said. "So, they could be charged with an arson crime.”
No matter how it is classified, arson is always a felony in Oklahoma.
What Curtis is glad for are his cameras, which are helpful to police.
“We just ask that neighbors be alert and respect each others property," Captain Hastings said. "If you don’t agree, you don’t agree, but you don’t have to go onto someone’s property and do damage."
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