Prosecutor: Frenchtown man faces bias charges for stealing Pride flags

A Hunterdon County man is facing several charges for stealing and disposing of Pride flags.

News 12 Staff

Aug 31, 2022, 2:18 AM

Updated 776 days ago

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A Hunterdon County man is facing several charges for stealing and disposing of Pride flags.
The county prosecutor says that 30-year-old Justin Settembrino is facing theft and bias intimidation charges.
Authorities say that on the morning of Aug. 28, Frenchtown police were told that several LGBTQ+ flags were found in the Delaware River. Police then found surveillance video that appears to show Settembrino stealing the flags.
Settembrino is now being held at the Warren County Jail.
This is not the first time that LGBTQ+ Pride flags have been the target in Frenchtown. Police began investigating earlier this month after several flags were stolen or damaged.
Police say that the Aug. 8 incident is still under investigation and has not yet said if Settembrino is accused in those incidents.
Anyone who may have information is asked to call the Frenchtown Police Department at 908-996-4820 or the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office at 908-788-1129.