Crimeamerican flag

Guy Steals American Flag, Flag Gets Revenge

Not a banner day for face-planting suspect.
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By 

General Assignment Reporter, HuffPost

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Don't mess with Old Glory.

A man in Campbell, California, was nearly caught red (white and blue) handed stealing an American flag -- and then face planting on the sidewalk as he made his getaway.

Watch above at the :28 mark as the guy approaches in the early morning hours of May 31 and yanks the flag from its holder on the porch of a home while a companion watches. He then attempts to vault a fence and falls to the ground.

The Campbell Police Department took a police report last week on two flag-stealing incidents, Captain Gary Berg told The Huffington Post on Monday.

"The theft of the two American flags is not only a criminal violation, but it disrespects everything the flag stands for," he said.

Berg called the suspect's falling comeuppance "ironic" and noted his limp afterward. "I think the great thing about it being captured on video is that when we identify the thief, he won't have a  leg to stand on in court."

Hopefully the banner-burgling bum can't hide those stars and stripes forever.

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Before You Go

Flags For Global Goals
Goal 1: No Poverty(01 of17)
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North Korea: A UNDP representative raises a flag to represent Goal 1, "No Poverty," in Pyongyang, in support of the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. (credit:GlobalGoals.org)
Goal 2: Zero Hunger(02 of17)
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Nepal: WFP officer Nimdoma Sherpa raises a flag to represent Goal 2, "Zero Hunger," in a remote mountain village in North-West Nepal, to support the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. (credit:WFP/Samir Jung Thapa)
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being(03 of17)
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Russia: A flag to represent Goal 3, "Good Health and Well-Being," flies in Moscow's Red Square, to support the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. (credit:Mark Boyarksky)
Goal 4: Quality Education(04 of17)
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India: Shachi Somani, the only Indian woman cyclist participating in the HERO MTB Challenge 2015, and cyclist Gurman Reen, bear a flag to represent Goal 4, "Quality Education," to support the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. (credit:Ashish Sood)
Goal 5: Gender Equality(05 of17)
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Denmark: Crown Princess Mary of Denmark raises a flag to represent Goal 5, "Gender Equality," outside of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Copenhagen to support the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. (credit:Ulrik Jantzen)
Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation(06 of17)
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Jordan: A child from the Zaâatari Refugee Camp stands by a flag representing Goal 6, "Clean Water and Sanitation," to support the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. (credit:UNICEF/ Jordan/ Badran)
Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy(07 of17)
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China: Qiciao and Qixi, a pair of giant panda twins, inspect a flag to represent Goal 7, "Affordable and Clean Energy," raised at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, to support the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. (credit:Mr. Yuan Tao and Ms. Yan Lu)
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth(08 of17)
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South Africa: Mafikizolo bear a flag representing Goal 8, "Decent Work and Economic Growth," at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, to support the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. (credit:Nicki Priem)
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure(09 of17)
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Kenya: Children in traditional dress raise a flag to represent Goal 9, "Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure," in Uhuru Park in Nairobi, to support the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. (credit:James Ochweri)
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities(10 of17)
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Brazil: Afroreggae fly a flag to represent Goal 10, "Reduced Inequalities," in Morro de Alemão in Rio de Janeiro, to support the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. (credit:Cristina Granato)
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities(11 of17)
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Australia: A flag to represent Goal 11," Sustainable Cities and Communities," flies in Sydney in support of the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. (credit:Shane Thaw)
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption(12 of17)
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Costa Rica: School children from Escuela Central San Sebastián in San Jose about to raise a flag representing Goal 12, "Responsible Consumption and Production," at the University for PEACE Campus, in support of the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. (credit:GlobalGoals.org)
Goal 13: Climate Action(13 of17)
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North Pole: Explorer Inge Solheim, carries a flag representing Goal 13, "Climate Action," in the community closest to the North Pole, to support the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. (credit:GlobalGoals.org)
Goal 14: Life Below Water(14 of17)
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Spain: Free-diving world champion Umberto Pelizzari carries a flag to represent Goal 14, "Life Below Water," off the coast of the Spanish island of Formentera, to support the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. (credit:Enric Sala)
Goal 15: Life on Land(15 of17)
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Philippines: The Dumagat tribe raise a flag to represent Goal 15, "Life on Land," in the Marikina Watershed near Manila, in support of the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. (credit:Jasper Lucena)
Goal 16: Peace and Justice & Strong Institutions(16 of17)
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Uganda: Nobel Peace Prize nominee Victor Ochen waves a flag representing Goal 16, "Peace and Justice & Strong Institutions," at the Barlonyo Massacre Burial Site in Northern Uganda, to support the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. (credit:Semine Lykke Brorson )
Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals(17 of17)
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United Kingdom: Seventeen young people deliver and raise the first non-governmental flag at Number 10 Downing Street in London to represent Goal 17, "Partnerships for the Goals," in support of the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. (credit:Chris Jackson / Getty Images)
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