A 37-year-old Maple Shade man is accused of yanking down a row of Pride flags along Kings Highway in Haddonfield’s downtown business district, leaving damaged banners along the borough’s main commercial strip. The incidents happened Monday, and Haddonfield police say they arrested the suspect the following day. In a department statement, officers identified him as 37-year-old Joshua Serad and said he was later released pending a court appearance.
Police Say Flags Stolen And Damaged On Kings Highway
According to CBS Philadelphia, investigators allege Serad “stole and damaged” multiple Pride flags along Kings Highway on Monday. Police took him into custody on Tuesday, then released him to await a court date. The incidents unfolded along the borough’s business strip, a walkable corridor lined with small shops and restaurants that had put up the flags for passersby.
Regional Pattern Of Pride-Flag Thefts
The Haddonfield case is not happening in a vacuum. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported on a series of Pride-flag thefts from Doylestown storefronts in June 2023, and FOX 29 has aired surveillance footage of flags being ripped from Bucks County businesses on consecutive nights. In those earlier incidents, business owners said the removals were painful for LGBTQ+ customers and staff and led to police investigations.
What Comes Next In The Haddonfield Case
Haddonfield police say Serad faces charges but have not publicly detailed the specific offenses in their statement, and he remains free pending a court date. Anyone with information about the incidents along Kings Highway is asked to contact the Haddonfield Police Department through the non-emergency number listed on the department’s website.
This story will be updated as court records or local officials release additional details about the case.
