Ringgold police: no evidence of crime with taken flagpoles

By Mason Edwards, Chattanooga Times Free Press

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Mike Schlote talks about the flags on June 11, 2025, in Ringgold, Ga.

A man seen on video loading a local club's commemorative flagpoles into his vehicle did not commit a crime, according to the Ringgold Police Department.

The department considers the case closed, saying in a statement on social media that no probable cause could be found to pursue charges.

"It appears the individual initially took the flag poles under the mistaken belief that they were scrap metal and promptly returned them upon realizing they were not," the post said.

Mike Schlote, who helps coordinate the Ringgold Veterans Flags program, said he spoke with detectives who told him the mistaken man realized shortly after driving away that the poles belonged to the temporary memorial and returned them.

"I always realized there was a possibility that it was a mistake, but I also understand human nature well enough to know that there are dishonest people out there," Schlote said in a phone interview. "I'm kind of glad that it turned out the way it did and we're not out any property."

(READ MORE: Ringgold police ask for help finding veterans flagpoles that were taken)

Ringgold police had previously asked for public help in identifying the man June 10, and the department's social media page confirmed the man was identified by June 11 and interviewed by police.

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"I think his boss said he was a scrapper, so he just saw them, thought he'd scrap them and then realized what they were and put them back, so I don't think there was any malicious intent on his part at all," Schlote said.

Schlote said he felt proud that no one in his community would steal from veterans.

"This is an excellent community. It's a very patriotic community, and that's one of the reasons I enjoy living here," he said. "With the help of the public, they did a good job, and I think the outcome is exactly what it should've been."

Ringgold Police Chief Dan King did not respond to a voicemail seeking comment.