Suspect sought after Pride flag stolen three times

CTV News

4 days ago

Windsor police have confirmed a Pride flag has been stolen from a Moy Avenue home three times. CTV Windsor's Chris Campbell has more.
Windsor police are asking for the public's help identifying a suspect after three separate thefts of a Pride flag at the same home — incidents the victim said have left her family feeling unsafe and targeted.
Officers were first called to a residence in the 200 block of Moy Avenue on May 2 after an unknown male approached the front porch and tore down the home's Pride flag, breaking the flagpole in the process.
A similar theft occurred on June 13, when police said a second flag was stolen from the same property.
The resident, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear for her family's safety, told CTV News the repeated incidents are 'devastating' noting it happened another time within the last year in July 2024.
'I was just devastated. I don't understand. I don't understand how us doing something as simple as flying a flag can interfere with somebody else's life to the point that they need to damage our property and make a mockery of it,' she said.
The woman, who identifies as queer, said at least two of her five children also identify within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and that the flag was meant to be a symbol of pride and acceptance for her household.
'The number one reason to fly the Pride flag for me is because I identify as a queer individual. I, like I said, have five children, and at least two of them identify in some way. The others are maybe a little too young to identify at this point. It's important to me because I see every single day the hate and the ugliness that people all over the world deal with,' she said.
The repeated thefts have caused the family to question their safety and whether they're being watched.
'They already face bullying in the public school. My concern is did somebody follow them home? Did somebody follow my teenager to school? They're showing us that we're not welcome, that we're not equal. It's ugly. It's unnecessary,' she said.
'And I can't imagine raising my children to think that they're better than anybody else for something that they believe or don't believe.'
The woman explained Windsor police have cautioned her against hanging the flag again, citing a risk of escalation.
'The overwhelming urge to kind of hang it and give the proverbial 'F.U.', it's strong. But Windsor police, my mom, everybody is telling me the window is going to get broken next, and then what? After that it gets more and more violent each time, right?' she said.
'We don't really know where we're at with hanging it. I would fly the flag year-round if it would be left up on my porch. It's not just a June thing, you know? But it is what it is. I don't know yet if we're going to put up another flag.'
She said police acknowledged the issue is ongoing in the city, though it's not always reported.
'The police have shared that with me that it's an ongoing problem. Whether other people are really reporting it or pushing for investigations or showing camera footage like I have, I'm not sure. But we're certainly not the only family being targeted. It just happens to be reported because I'm pushing for it,' she said.
Despite the situation, the woman said her message remains the same.
'You can take the flag, but you can't take the pride. I'm here. I'm loud. I teach my kids to be loud. That doesn't change anything about who we are and where we are in this world,' she said.
'And what do I hope for the young man who thought that this was funny or whatever his idea about it was? I hope that he grows. I hope that he grows and that his life changes in a good way, in a way that allows him to see the bigger picture. It's shocking in 2025, in progressive Canada that we're here.'
Wendi Nicholson, president of Windsor-Essex Pride Fest, said hearing about incidents like these is discouraging.
'It's just, it's disheartening,' Nicholson said.
'We're not doing anything. Just wanting to be equal and showing that, hey, we're here and that we're proud of who we are. Same as anybody with any nationality they are. They fly their national flag. They're proud of who they are. So are we. Tearing down people's flags, taking people's stuff. It's got to stop. It's just ridiculous.'
Nicholson said education is the most powerful tool the community has in fighting back.
'The only thing we can do is just educate people. If you see someone, just educate them,' she said.
'Like, why? Why? When I grew up, I was taught, if it ain't yours, don't touch it.'
The suspect in the May 2 incident is described as a Middle Eastern male with black afro-style hair and a short black beard and moustache. At the time of the incident, he wore a grey hoodie and black track pants with white stripes.
Investigators are asking residents and business owners in the area to check their surveillance or dashcam footage from May 2 and June 13 between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. for anything that may help the investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Major Crimes Unit at 519-255-6700 ext. 4830 or submit a tip anonymously through Windsor & Essex County Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 (TIPS) or online.