At least 11 Pride flags were stolen or damaged in Frenchtown this week, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson said.
The biased acts were reported between Sunday, August 7, and Monday, August 8, authorities said.
The Prosecutor’s Office Criminal Investigations Unit and Frenchtown Borough Police are asking the public to come forward with any information about the case. A $2,500 reward is being offered by Hunterdon County Crime Stoppers for information leading to an arrest.
The houses hanging pride flags also reported minor property damage, including plant pots being toppled and trinkets being stolen, said Chris Alice Kratzer, a Frenchtown resident and local advocate who is helping the affected families.
“There have been a string of vandalism reports from nearly every house displaying Pride flags across Frenchtown this week,” Kratzer said. “We have every reason to believe these attacks are a targeted hate crime against the LGBTQ+ community.”
Kratzer later found multiple stolen items dumped in a nearby river.
On Wednesday night, there were many new Pride flags hanging, even in front of houses that didn’t have them before, Kratzer said.
Pastor Peter Mantell, of the Frenchtown United Methodist Church, said on Wednesday he started purchasing Pride flags to donate to those who lost theirs in the attacks.
Officials are asking anyone with information about the crimes to call the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office at 908-788-1129, Frenchtown Borough Police Department at 908-996-4820 or submit an anonymous tip through Hunterdon County Crime Stoppers.
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Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.