ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A recent incident involving the vandalism of an LGBTQ pride flag at an Annapolis tattoo shop has led to the arrest of a U.S. Naval Academy graduate on charges of a hate crime. Police reports reveal that the flag, which featured the message “ABIDE NO HATRED,” was torn down and discarded, marking the third time this particular flag had been removed. The shop’s owner, Charlie Garrett, has since taken measures to enhance security by installing a surveillance camera.

Surveillance footage captured the suspect, clad in a black puffer vest, approaching the Dapper Dog Tattoo Shop early Friday morning around 1 a.m. The man was seen forcibly taking down the pride flag from the awning and tossing it into a trash receptacle. Following the incident, the tattoo shop took to social media to share an image of the individual in hopes of identifying him.

Investigations revealed that the suspect is a resident of Dallas, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, and graduated from the Naval Academy. According to information from a Marine Corps representative, his military service spanned from 2004 to 2013. On Saturday morning, a woman employed at a nearby restaurant informed authorities that she had recognized the man in the footage after serving him the previous night. She subsequently provided the police with his name and a credit card receipt.

In addition to the hate crime charge, which pertains to property offenses, the suspect is also facing charges of malicious destruction of property. Both allegations are classified as misdemeanors.