‘We’d like our flag back:’ iconic Canadian flag stripped in Nanaimo
NANAIMO — A bizarre theft of a highly recognized local flag has the impacted business and police stumped.
Ross Barnard, general sales manager of Laird Wheaton GM in Nanaimo, noticed on Monday, Sept. 25 their signature 30 by 15 foot Canadian flag was not flapping in the wind above their dealership at the corner of Bowen Rd. and the Old Island Hwy.
“We’re more concerned about theft of the vehicles, or catalytic converters is the big thing on diesel pick up trucks, but the flag would have been the last thing I ever would have been concerned about,” Barnard said, who noted the theft likely happened between Sunday night into Monday morning.
Maintenance crews periodically switch out the flag during heavy winds, however in this case Barnard said metal lanyards at least 20 feet up the pole were purposely cut to access the flag.