Teen Apologizes for Stealing Flags

The teenager who was arrested for stealing flags last week throughout Towne Lake apologized to the Towne Lake Optimist Club for his actions.

Club President Matt Halloran said the 16-year-old, accompanied by his mother, expressed his feelings to the club during its lunch meeting on Wednesday.

Halloran said the teen told the audience he "was bored that day and that he didn't realize the impact of his actions." He added the teen got "very emotional" as he talked to the members of the club.

"It took a lot of courage to get up and say something like that," Halloran added.

The last Friday nine flags had been stolen throughout Towne Lake, including two from Running Deer Parkway, two from Towne Lake Hills South Drive, two from Wendy's on Towne Lake Parkway, one from Victoria Road near Bells Ferry Road, one from Township Drive and one front front of Chick-Fil-A on Eagle Drive.

According to CBS Atlanta, the agency received an anonymous tip from a caller who spotted a truck at Hobgood Park that possibly had a flag stolen from one of the locations lying in its truck bed. Deputies arrested the 16-year-old driving the truck and charged him with theft by receiving. The teen ultimately led deputies to the 16-year-old who stole the flags. 

At the request of the club, Halloran said charges against the teen will be dropped.

"We're in the business of helping kids…so we didn't want to take it any further than that," he added. 

Halloran also said the teen will write a two-page essay on what he's learned from his actions and has also said he'd help sell and put out flags as part of the organization's fundraising efforts.

The club sells the flags and businesses and residents place them on their properties. Proceeds from the fundraiser are donated to organizations that help less fortunate children such as the Mimms Boys and Girls Club. 

Halloran said he believed the teen, who has a 3.67 grade point average, teaches young children lacrosse and has a part-time job, was not looking for trouble and noted he felt the teen has learned about the consequences of his decision. 

"It was a turning point in his life and I don't think he will forget it," he said.