Police: Boston man burned American flag, threw it on police vehicle, spat on officer

BOSTON -- By law, flag burning is a protected form of speech in the United States, but police said that’s not what got Daniel Lucey taken into custody Sunday evening.

Police said several concerned citizens alerted officers to a man burning Old Glory, then throwing the flaming banner onto one of the department’s prisoner transport wagons.

According to a news release, officers confronted Lucey, who told them he was doing this as a form of protest.

Investigators noticed more flags in his possession, noting that they resembled the flags planted in front of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument over Memorial Day weekend.

During questioning, police said Lucey spat at one of them, even landing saliva on an officer’s shoe.

Authorities arrested the 40-year-old and charged him with assault and battery on a police officer, disorderly conduct, malicious destruction of property and malicious destruction of historical monuments.