NORTHAMPTON — A 22-year-old Westfield man has been charged in connection with the theft and burning of Pride flags outside a downtown marketplace in June.
David Sivokonenko was arraigned Wednesday morning in Northampton District Court on charges of burning personal property, vandalizing property and disorderly conduct.
The incident occurred at approximately 1:24 a.m. on June 19 outside Thornes Marketplace at 150 Main Street.
Surveillance video captured two individuals stealing eight Pride flags from the exterior awning of the marketplace, according to the Northampton Police Department.
The flags were then placed in the eastbound lane of Main Street and set on fire.
A passing motorist extinguished the flames, preventing further damage.
Detectives identified Sivokonenko as one of the individuals responsible following an investigation.
Police are still working to identify the second individual involved in the incident.
