A man in California is being held on high bail after he set American flags on fire.
According to the reports, the accused is facing a $3.25 million bail after being accused of going door-to-door and lighting American flags on fire.
The accused is identified as 35-year old John Leo Meylor from Laguna Niguel. Authorities claimed that he specifically targeted homes that have American flags and military flags.
Meylor was arrested after he was caught on surveillance camera setting their American flags on fire sparking concerns among residents of the Long Beach neighborhood.
In an exclusive report released by KTLA News, it was revealed that “In a video provided by a neighbor who wished to remain anonymous, the suspect sets the flags on fire with a lighter. He appears to be relaxed, keeping one hand in his pocket. He ensures the flag is fully ignited by flicking his lighter multiple times and touching the flames to the flag. He then calmly walks away from the burning debris.”
Reports revealed that he was seen setting the flags on fire in the middle of the night on Thursday and several hours after the attacks he was nabbed by the police after he was tracked down at a nearby park.
Allegedly, Meylor struck not less than 14 homes in the same neighborhood.
Following the horrifying incident, Jane Andrus, a victim released a statement, claiming that “we just can’t believe this is happening. I walked outside and the pole was charred. The old pole was just charred and there was no flag and something was missing.”
Andrus also revealed that it took them long to realize that her house was targeted and added that she was not sure how the fire was extinguished.
“It was just so casual the way this person walked up and took the time and the lighter and the whole bit. My family’s home could have been taken from us very quickly and it wasn’t and I’m very grateful.” Andrus said.
“When you’re a father and you have a young child sitting at home and a lot of these families have children sleeping in their beds, and you have an individual setting fire to a flag that’s affixed to their house, I’m honestly shocked that no homes went up in flames,” Bradley Mahlsted, a resident and victim said.
The victims also revealed that the Meylor later replaced the flags that were destroyed with flags that belong to war veterans, carrying a ton of sentimental value.
“Somebody loses something, if you can help a neighbor out, if you can help somebody out, that’s what we all should be doing,” Mahlstead added.
Meanwhile, authorities made it clear that residents had been harmed but the most significant damage during the crime spree was one neighbor’s vehicle was reportedly seen completely charred and destroyed on the driveway.
According to the police, the fire spread from the flag to the parked car. Luckily, everyone inside the home evacuated safely.
