Woman Arrested for Stealing and Burning Flag Placed for Fallen Delaware State Trooper

LEWES, Del.- A Wilmington woman is facing charges after destroying a flag on the Nassau Bridge placed in honor of late Delaware State Police Trooper William F. Matt. 

Tim Dale and Dave Repass installed a "Thin Blue Line" flag on the Nassau Bridge to pay tribute to Matt after his untimely death on Monday. The placement was intentional, as Matt was known to often conduct traffic stops on or near the bridge.

Around 5:15 p.m. on Friday, police received a tip that the flag was missing.  The Delaware State Police say a concerned citizen called and reported that a black Chevrolet was pulled over on the shoulder near the flag when a woman got out of the car, straddled the median and took the flag. The witness says the woman, later identified as 21-year-old Catherine Iocco of Wilmington, then used her cell phone while driving away. According to police, the witness was able to take down her vehicle description and tag number.

Woman Arrested for Stealing and Burning Flag Placed for Fallen Delaware State Trooper

  

Police say they found Iocco's car in Milton and arrested her without incident. Police report that Iocco was unable to return the flag because she set it on fire and destroyed it. Iocco was then taken to Troop 7 and charged with theft, criminal mischief, and other related traffic charges. She was released on $275 unsecured bond.

A new flag is now in place of the original. Dale says HMD Sporting Gear donated a new flag to he and Repass, and the two replaced it as soon as possible. 

Matt will be laid to rest on Monday morning at St. Jude The Apostle Catholic Church in Lewes.

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