Connie Whigum was caught on camera stealing a large American flag, including its 20-foot pole from the Bagdad Cemetery on Pooley Street in Milton, Florida. The flag and pole were said to be freshly purchased and installed in the cemetery right before the woman stole them.
In addition to the large American flag, 15 smaller American flags decorating the cemetery were stolen as well. As soon as the sheriff’s office was informed of the robbery, an investigation was launched.
A Santa Rosa County Sheriff Office deputy gathered all necessary information and watched the cemetery’s security camera footage to identify the thief. The surveillance video showed Whigum parking her car around 10:30am on July 26th, 2020.
She is seen breaking down the American flag and pole and packing it into the back of her car. She then grabbed the 15 smaller American flags from around the cemetery’s pavilion, as reported in Whigum’s arrest report shared with Pensacola News Journal.
After comparing the woman’s picture in the tape with pictures available in the law enforcement database, the prosecutors allege that Connie Whigum was a match.
Connie was later arrested and charged with vandalizing a tomb and damaging a monument. She spent several days in the Santa Rosa County Jail with a $10,000 bond. According to the county records shared with Pensacola News Journal, Connie Whigum was released from custody on Tuesday, August 6th, 2020.