HOULTON – A $500 reward is being offered by a local organization for information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for a rash of American flag thefts and vandalism.

Even as the reward was being announced Tuesday, Houlton police were investigating two more incidents early that morning.

The flag at American Legion Post No. 47 on Bangor Street was stolen, and the town’s American flag at Union Square was cut down, according to Houlton Police Chief Daniel Soucy.

The town’s flag later was found on the ground in the Union Square area, he said.

The latest incidents occurred between about 3:30 and 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.

“We’re narrowing in on a time frame,” Soucy said.

The incidents bring to 12 the number of cases of vandalism and theft of American flags in the town since last Friday.

Five incidents in which eight American flags have been slashed, possibly with a knife or razor, have been reported.

There have been another seven reports of flags being stolen and in some cases, flagpoles damaged.

The problem was addressed at Monday’s Town Council meeting when Town Manager Peggy Daigle outlined what had taken place.

She said the flag flown in front of the town office on Water Street also was stolen and the mechanism used to raise it was damaged. The cost to repair the pole was about $100, she said.

“People were trying to show their patriotism by flying these flags,” she said. “It’s unfortunate that someone chose not to appreciate that for what it is.”

The reward is being offered by the Houlton Citizen’s Coalition, a group of residents who are outraged by what has been done, Soucy said.

“It’s an expression of our concern for the reputation of the town and the obvious insult to those of us who carried the flag into combat,” said Peter Hurd, group spokesman and a retired U.S. Air Force veteran.

Anyone who has information about the incidents should call Detective James Skehan at the Houlton Police Department at 532-2287, or Aroostook County Crime Stoppers at (800) 638-8477.