Brooklyn, NY - Man Accused Of Stealing Flag From Docked USS Shreveport

A Brooklyn man was caught over the weekend trying to steal an American flag from a U.S. Navy ship docked at the former home port for Fleet Week. Police said Roman Skrynyk, 31, of Hooper Street in Brooklyn, NY, was observed walking off the USS Shreveport at about with a neatly folded flag under his arm.

Such flags are given to VIP's who they visit the ship, such as widows of 9/11 victims or war veterans. A security officer hired for Fleet Week told cops that Skrynyk probably took the flag from one of the cabins when he toured the Shreveport.

When cops stopped Skrynyk on Front St. and he claimed that "he brought the flag in with him." But the guard checked with the ship, and one of the officers confirmed that a flag had gone missing.

Skrynyk was arrested and charged with one count each of criminal possession of stolen property and petit larceny.