Busted in nabs of LGBT flags

A Long Island man has been arrested over accusations he stole LGBT rainbow flags six times from a church, Suffolk County police said Wednesday.

Ronald Tyler Witt, 21, was cuffed at home Tuesday for allegedly swiping the lawn flags from Sayville Congregational United Church of Christ earlier that day and on July 29, Sept. 23, Oct. 7, Oct. 15 and Oct. 20. Witt lives in Sayville, a few blocks from the church.

Witt (inset) was charged with theft as a hate crime after being seen on surveillance video, said the church's pastor, Ray Bagnuolo.

Bagnuolo said the first time it happened he chose not to call cops. But after the second time the flag went missing he grew concerned there might be other anti-LGBT activity in the area and felt he had to notify the police. “The congregation is fully welcoming. It has always been out there welcoming people across the spectrum,” Bagnuolo said. “This activity was very concerning to us.”