By Ron Lee
CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) – Four protesters, including a teenager, were charged after setting fire to two American flags early Friday near the Occupy Charlotte camp in Center City, police said.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police aren’t sure if the four men who set fire to two flags were associated with the Occupy Charlotte movement, but say it happened with in feet of the group’s encampment.
Earlier reports indicated one flag was burned, but a police report says that 2 US flags were burned.
Officers said they noticed the suspects lighting something on fire directly in front of the Occupy camp along Trade Street around 12:30 a.m. Friday morning.
Police swarmed the area, and detained the men while firefighters were called in to knock down the flames. About $30 worth of damage was caused to landscaping at the site.
It was only after the fire was out did officials figure out what was burning, the American flag.
Police said the men claimed they were burning the flag in protest. Burning the flag is not illegal, however doing it outside of a fire pit, and within ten feet from flammable tents poses a problem.
Officers arrested 20-year-old Stephen Christopher Morris of Matthews, 28-year-old Jason Bargert of Charlotte, 23-year-old Michael Alan Behrle of Matthews and 19-year-old Alex Macon Tyler of Fort Mill.
All four men were charged with being careless with fire. That charge is a misdemeanor under the city ordnance.
Police officers told WBTV the protesters gave them a verbal tongue-lashing while being detained, calling then fascists, as well as using other colorful words.
Crime Scene Investigators collected the remains of the flag, and placed it into evidence. A cigarette lighter was also confiscated.