Jake Rankin
GASTONIA, N.C. – An 18-year-old boy has been charged with stealing flags from a Gastonia park.
Jake Edward Rankin, 18, is charged with first-degree trespassing and misdemeanor larceny.
According to police reports, Mr. Rankin stole an American flag, a state flag, and a city of Gastonia flag from Martha Rivers Park on Neal Hawkins Road in Gastonia.
The flags were all property of the city of Gastonia. They were valued at $150.
The park was closed and secured to keep out intruders, according to the arrest warrants.
According to the Gaston County Sheriff’s website, Mr. Rankin racked up a slew of charges in January, and then again in March, 2013, that included breaking and entering, larceny and defacing public property.
Mr. Rankin is being held in the Gaston County Jail under a $15,000 bond.
