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OGDEN — Police arrested two men who allegedly went on a vandalism spree that included burning flags and painting graffiti.
On Wednesday in the early morning hours, Bryan Nava, 19, of Ogden, “walked throughout a neighborhood, (and) trespassed onto peoples’ properties to burn American flags,” according to a police affidavit.
Police announced Thursday afternoon that a second arrest was made — Hunter Hinds, 18, also of Ogden.
“I think it’s a pretty horrible thing. Two hundred plus years of history of people fighting for this flag and then kids just come and burn it,” said homeowner Darrel Thompson. He said he discovered the charred flag on the front of his home early Wednesday.
It could have started his house on fire, he said, “and I don’t know why it stopped, but I was glad it did.”
Ogden police received eight reports related to property damage throughout the night, according to a news release.
Two flags were attached to poles on a home, while the others were “securely on private property, but not attached to a residence,” the affidavit states.
Nava also “tagged,” or spray-painted his moniker on buildings and fences, according to the affidavit.
The news release says a “Thin Blue Line” themed flag and another politically themed flag were also burned.
Nava was arrested for investigation of two counts of criminal mischief endangering human life for lighting flags attached to homes on fire, three counts of criminal mischief, five counts of trespassing, five counts of abuse of a flag and two counts of graffiti.
Hinds was also booked on a number of property crime related allegations, according to the release.
Ogden police say they don’t know a motive for the flag burning as Nava declined to speak to investigators after being arrested.
Contributing: Mike Anderson, KSL TV
