(August 14, 2008)

WOODSBORO--Woodsboro Police announce an arrested in a case of desecrating an American flag that occurred during the biggest holiday of the year to celebrate America's patriotism.

It's an unthinkable crime that happened on the Fourth of July. Police said a flag was cut up and destroyed. At first there were no leads, but today they finally made an arrest.

This torn American flag was flying in the Woodsboro's Historic Square in Veteran's Park for the 4th of July, but on that weekend, police said somebody with a sharp object desecrated the flag. The vandalism upset many veterans.

"We have young men and women here in Refugio County serving, getting wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Johnny Karstedt, a Woodsboro Vietnam War Veteran who was awarded a Purple Heart during the war. "It's a disgrace to them."

"People are dying for this flag and I think they should have respect," said  Bobby Ray Edwards, a Vietnam War Veteran from Refugio County.

The town's police chief said, at first, they couldn't find the responsible party. Then a reward was offered.a few weeks ago and police arrested 17-year-old Gilbert Zuniga and two juveniles.

"It wasn't long after that we had someone come forward and give us information and saw these juveniles and adult do this to the flag," said Robert Bolcik, who is the Woodsboro Police Chief. 

These veterans say the American flag means the world to them. They hope these juveniles and adult get a harsh punishment and they also hope they learn a powerful lesson about the importance of the American flag.

"With our law enforcement in Refugio County, I think we can come up with a solution that shows we are going to stand behind the flag," Edwards said. 

"If people know hey VFW is not standing for this type of actions, then they won't do it anymore," Karstedt said.

Zuniga and the juveniles are facing a misdemeanor charge of destruction of American flag.

--Manuel De La Rosa, Area 3 News, mdelarosa@kiiitv.com