BPD: Man arrested after throwing flaming American flag onto prisoner transport vehicle

BOSTON — Boston Police have arrested a man for allegedly setting an American flag on fire and throwing it onto a prisoner transport vehicle.

According to officials, at around 7:10 p.m. on Sunday, several concerned people in the area of the Boston Common approached officers about a man lighting an American flag on fire and throwing it onto the roof of an unoccupied Boston Police transport wagon, which had been parked near the fountain.

Authorities approached the suspect, later identified as Daniel Lucey, 40, of Boston, who said he had burned the flag and thrown it onto the police vehicle as a form of protest.

Officers found Lucey had several other flags with him, which looked just like the ones that are planted in front of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument over Memorial Day weekend to commemorate the Massachusetts service members who have given their lives in defense of their country.

While speaking to the officers, Lucey is also accused of spitting at one of them, hitting an officer’s shoe. He was then arrested at the scene.

Lucey is being charged with disorderly conduct, assault and battery on a police officer, malicious destruction of property and malicious destruction of historical monuments. He is set to appear in Boston Municipal Court at a later date.

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