KNOXVILLE (AP) - Police in Knoxville arrested two Irish men Wednesday and charged them with stealing an American flag from the Tennessee Valley Authority headquarters building.
It wasn't clear why the flag was taken, but the men jumped out of a taxi, cut the rope holding the flag, then ran into a hotel with their trophy.
Police said they found the flag in the hotel room booked by John Patrick Kerrigan, 33, and James Mulroy, 28, both of Dublin.
TVA police recovered the flag and it's being held as evidence.
Agency spokeswoman Barbara Martocci said the utility doesn't plan to fly it again.
Kerrigan and Mulroy are charged with vandalism and misdemeanor theft.
Both made bond and were released from the Knox County Jail, which does not have records on whether inmates have attorneys.
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John Patrick Kerrigan (source: Knox County Sheriff's Office)
James Mulroy (source: Knox County Sheriff's Office)
