Suspect accused of lighting American flag on fire in The Fan turns himself in

Update (June 29th, 2017; 12:00 PM):

Photo: Richmond Police

Less than 24 hours after the video of a man burning an American flag in The Fan went viral, the suspect turned himself in to police. Richmond Police say 26-year-old Andrew Rosas, of the 1100 block of Catherine Street, turned himself in at RPD Headquarters Wednesday evening. He has been charged with arson for the crime, which took place in the 1600 block of Floyd Avenue around 2:15 AM Wednesday morning.

Original report:

A home surveillance camera in The Fan captured a man who appeared to be in his late teens or twenties approaching a porch and lighting a mounted American flag on fire in the early hours of Wednesday, June 28th. Sources tell us the crime occurred on Floyd Avenue in The Fan.

The below video, which was shared by Jill Stefanovich–reportedly a neighbor of the home where the incident occurred–shows a man walking up the steps to the porch before lighting a balled up piece of paper or similar combustible material on fire and holding it to the porch-mounted flag, which then ignites.

“Richmond friends, please watch this and share,” Stefanovich posted to Facebook. “This happened this morning in our neighborhood. [The suspect] must be caught.”

Richmond Police have not yet publicly released any information about the incident or a possible suspect, but if you recognize the man in the video, make a report to the department’s non-emergency line at 804.646.5100, or call 911 if you see a similar crime as it happens.

We’ll continue to follow this story as it unfolds.

View the video in full resolution here.