FAYETTEVILLE — The Knights of Columbus is offering a $100 reward for the return of three flags and a banner taken Saturday afternoon after the St. Patrick’s Day parade downtown.
“If we get the flags back, we won’t ask any questions,” said Michael Huber, the organization’s deputy grand knight. “We just need them for funerals, our meetings and community events.”
Huber said the flags measure 3 feet by 5 feet and are attached to 8-foot poles. One was an American flag with gold fringe and a gold eagle on top, he said. The others were a yellow and white papal flag and a Knights of Columbus flag with a green emblem on one corner and a white and blue Maltese cross on the other corner. Both have gold crosses on top and gold fringe.
Huber said a St. Patrick’s Day banner also was taken.
“One of our knights accidentally left them behind,” he said. “We don’t want anyone to go to jail, we just want the flags back.”
The Knights of Columbus is a Roman Catholic fraternal benefits organization headquartered in New Haven, Conn. It was started in 1882 by the Rev. Michael J. McGivney. A council was organized in Arkansas in 1909. The founding principles of the order are charity, unity and fraternity.
Police Sgt. Craig Stout said no one had been arrested in connection with the theft as of Tuesday.
Those with any information can contact St. Joseph Catholic Church, 479-442-0890 or Fayetteville police, 479-587-3555.