Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man Sunday who is accused of stealing approximately 15 American flags over the past two years.

  • Cowart Jr., 34, accused of stealing 15 American flags 
  • Admitted to deputies he stole the flags after they helped him 
  • Deputies say Cowart has long arrest history in Flagler

Charles Cowart Jr., 34, was charged with petit theft and grand theft, along with felony violation of probation offenses.

Authorities say they initially found Cowart when they responded to a suspicious person report. In an arrest report, they described that he seemed angry and under the influence.

Cowart then told deputies that was trying to catch two horses running down CR-305. After the deputies assisted him and returned the horses safely at a nearby cow pen, Cowart said he had “something to show them” at his home.

Upon arriving, Cowart showed deputies a 15 by 25 foot American flag, which was determined to be stolen earlier Sunday from the Indian Trails sports complex in Palm Coast. He also reportedly told deputies that he also had an 8 by 12 foot American flag he stole from a home on Palm Coast Parkway Saturday night.

In total, Cowart said he had about 15 flags collected over the course of two years at various locations in Flagler County, some of which were at his father’s house, he told deputies.

All of the flags were collected and taken to the sheriff’s office.

Cowart is being held at Flagler County Detention Facility without bond.

According to deputies, Cowart has a long arrest history in Flager County that includes aggravated assault, contempt of court, shoplifting, burglary, kidnapping, animal cruelty and DUI.