Police: Man attempted to light gay pride flag on fire

GREENSBURG, Pa. — Greensburg City Police are looking for a man they say was caught on camera trying to set fire to a gay pride flag on someone's porch, before running off.

It happened Monday night in the Ludwick section of the city and the entire incident was caught on a surveillance camera.

You can see the man walk up to the flag with what appears to be a lighter, trying to ignite the corner of the flag. It didn't work, so, police say, he tried again.

TRENDING NOW:

• Suspended Aliquippa asst. police chief arrested on new charges
• Live Nation offers compensatory tickets to Jimmy Buffett fans stuck in long lines
• Man fleeing from Pa. officers run over, killed by bulldozer
• RAW VIDEO: Three charged for mocking dying stroke victim

"He comes back into view, you can hear he was with other kids telling him to light the flag so he took it off the post and laid it on the ground and tried to light it numerous times, but he was still unsuccessful," said Capt. Robert Stafford with Greensburg police.

Ultimately, he gave up and walked away, but police have concerns about what could have happened.

"Even something as small as that, if he's apprehended, he's going to be charged with arson," Stafford said.

The flag was back up and flying proudly Tuesday.

The woman who lives there posted on social media that she absolutely considers this a hate crime.

"It would be looked into further once he was identified and that would become part of the investigation, being if he targeted that pride flag," Stafford said.

Cox Media Group