American flag burned outside Idaho business

Author: wink news
Published: Updated:

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho (KXLY)- A man who thought no one was watching as he lit an American flag on fire before walking away, was caught on surveillance camera.

“It was a Friday night. The bars just closed up, you could tell on the video he was stumbling around a little bit.”

Finishing up some late night work, business owner Todd Brewer was inside the store, just feet away, but didn’t see what happened next.

“Yeah, I’d like to see the guy get caught for sure.”

The man is seen looking around, before reaching up with his lighter.

“I think he’s public enemy number one, burning the American flag.”

The flag doesn’t catch at first, so the man tried lighting it a second time. When he’s sure it’s burning, he slowly walks away.

Brewer, still inside, didn’t realize his American flag was on fire until a police officer walked in and asked him what was going on.

“‘Hey, what do you know about your flag burning up out here?’ And I said, ‘what? I don’t know anything about it, but I bet my DVR does.'”

Brewer only had to rewind the video a few minutes find out what happened. By then, a few charred stripes and no stars were left on the flag.

“I could see the smoldering embers from it and it was all on the sidewalk.”

Brewer thinks the flag burning was a crime of opportunity, but that doesn’t detract from how serious he takes it.

“I’m lucky also that that’s all it did burn, and not transfer onto the building and light it on fire.”

For now, a charred pole is all that’s left in front of the vapor shop. Brewer says that’ll soon change.

“By the weekend’s over, I’ll have another flag flying.”

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