The American flag is an enduring symbol of freedom. So when the massive 20-by-40-foot flag disappeared overnight on Monday, commuters and employees noticed the void right away.
Disgusted dealership owner Bill Hedrick said, "I can't believe someone stealing an American flag. It's kind of un-American to me. Not kind of, it is un-American."
Police believe thieves jumped a fence and used ropes to lower the flag down the pole which doubles as a cell phone tower.
Hedrick said, "Our cameras didn't pick this up because they covered one of our lights. The light that shines on it."
Surveillance cameras at neighboring businesses weren't able to pick up the crime either.
The theft angered Korean War veteran Charlie Waters. Waters said, "How dare they. They don't deserve to be here. They don't deserve to be here. They don't deserve the freedom to serve under that flag."
Waters has alerted veteran's groups and the American Legion to be on the lookout for a large missing flag. Waters explained, "This is totally, totally unacceptable. This flag is used on caskets of our dead young, our citizens, our leaders."
The flag theft in Clovis comes the same week a cross honoring U.S. war dead was stolen from the Mojave Desert.
Hedrick said, "That's a ticket straight down below when you steal somebody's flag or a cross."
The missing flag is worth over 800-dollars but Hedrick says it's not about the money.
Hedrick asked, "Who steals an American flag? I'd like to have it back no questions asked. If it was a prank, it was a prank."
Clovis Police don't have much to go on in this case. Because of the size of the flag police believe at least two people were involved.
If they're caught, they'll be charged with grand theft.
