Woman allegedly steals and burns 'thin blue line' flag honoring fallen trooper

The Delaware State Police have charged a woman for allegedly stealing and burning a flag that was mounted to honor a recently fallen state trooper, according to a news release.

Police arrested Catherine R. Iocco of Wilmington after someone contacted them and reported seeing a woman take a "thin blue line" flag from its pole and drive away.

The flag's owner told police he had mounted the pole and flag on Tuesday in honor of Delaware State Trooper William F. Matt who had passed away suddenly July 9.

What's the story?

About 5:15 p.m. on Friday, a witness called police after they noticed a black Chevrolet pulled over on the shoulder near the Nassau Bridge on Coastal Highway north of Lewes.

"The vehicle was sitting stationary with the driver’s side door ajar with a white female outside of the vehicle straddling the bridge median and reaching for the flag," according to the release.

The suspect reportedly grabbed the flag, got back inside the car, and drove away while using her cell phone. The witness was able to get a description of the vehicle, along with the license plate information when the suspect drove past.

Using the information from the witness, authorities learned that the Chevy Malibu vehicle driven by the suspect belonged to Iocca.

Police tracked her down and arrested her without incident in Milton.

They were unable to return the flag to its owner because the suspect had allegedly set it on fire and destroyed it.

Police charged Iocca with theft, criminal mischief, and other related traffic violations. She posted a $275 unsecured bond.

(H/T: KYW-TV)