State Police Arrest Wilmington Female for Stealing and Burning “A Thin Blue Line Flag” in Honor of Fallen Trooper

Lewes – The Delaware State Police arrested a Wilmington woman for stealing and burning a flag which occurred last evening.

The incident occurred on Friday, July 13, 2018 at approximately 5:15 p.m., after a report was received by a concerned citizen that a flag was stolen from the area of the Nassau Bridge located on Coastal Highway north of Lewes. It was reported a black Chevrolet was pulled over on the left shoulder near the median adjacent to where a "thin blue line," flag was mounted and on display. 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. As the suspect returned to her vehicle with the flag, the witness observed her drive by his location while operating her cell phone and obtained her vehicle description and tag number.

The investigation revealed the vehicle description matched the suspect's Chevrolet Malibu and later discovered belonged to Catherine Iocco, 21 of Wilmington. Troopers were able to ascertain the location of the suspect vehicle in Milton and apprehended Catherine Iocco without incident. The suspect was unable to return the flag because she set the flag on fire and destroyed it.

After making contact with the owner of the flag, it was learned that he mounted the pole and flag to the bridge this past Tuesday morning after learning about the passing of the Delaware State Trooper. The owner wanted to honor fallen Trooper William F. Matt, who recently passed away.

Iocco was transported to Troop 7 where she was processed and formally charged for Theft, Criminal Mischief and other related traffic charges. She was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court 3 and released on $275.00 unsecured bond.