Cy-Fair teen is charged in flag burnings (burned someone else's flags)

Houston Chronicle ^ | April 21, 2003, 10:31PM | By S.K. BARDWELL

[weegee]

Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle

An 18-year-old Cy-Fair High School student has been charged with felony arson and felony criminal mischief for two flag-burning incidents in northwest Harris County last month.

Randall W. Heinrichs, of the 14500 block of Enchanted Valley in Cypress, was arrested at his home Saturday -- his birthday. His family posted a total bail of $12,000, and Heinrichs was released to await trial.

Arson investigators said a second Cy-Fair student, who is a juvenile, may also be charged in the cases.

Victoria McCord, owner of Lumber Tag Specialties of the 13300 block of Skinner Road, said he is relieved an arrest has been made in the case.

On March 22, a flag displayed vertically on the side of McCord's business was set afire by someone who climbed the fence to get into the closed shop's grounds.

Two youths were seen running from the business by passers-by, one of whom followed the suspects and got a license plate number.

The flag had been draped on the coffin of McCord's brother, an Army veteran who died in May 1999. At his burial, the flag had been presented to McCord's mother, who died in December.

"It meant a lot to me, and now it's gone," McCord said. She said that flames from the flag charred the eaves of her building and could have ignited insulation, putting her out of business.

McCord said she didn't know Heinrichs or the other suspect, or what motivated them.

Heinrichs also was charged in connection with a March 16 incident in which a flag was burned on the campus of Goodson Middle School, on Huffmeister at Barker-Cypress Road.

Arson investigator Lonnie Blevins, of the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office, said in a statement that several posters with anti-American and racially motivated hate messages were found in Heinrichs' room when he was arrested.

Blevins was not available for comment Monday. A man who answered the Heinrichs' telephone Monday said no one at the home wished to comment on the arrest.

Burning flags as an expression of protest is protected under the First Amendment but only if the flag's owner has given permission for it to be burned and only when the fire poses no danger.

"I can tell you that my sons both graduated from Cy-Fair, and they are livid," McCord said Monday. Her oldest son served in the U.S. Navy, the younger in the U.S. Marine Corps, McCord said.

Two days after her flag was burned, McCord said a passer-by brought her the flag that had adorned the coffin of his father, a World War II veteran. A Spring woman brought her the flag that had draped the coffin of her son, who served in Vietnam.

"There is some good out there," McCord said.

[farmfriend]

pinging the vets.

[roadcat]

If he had burned the flag that draped my father's coffin you can bet I'd find a way to burn that kid. Some emotions you don't mess with.

[memaw]

I feel just like you. If these hetherns doesn't respect our country & our flag then they should get out of this country....My husband is a WW2 vetran he served in the South Pacfic for us to enjoy the freedom to which our Flag is a synbol of. It burns me up to see someone burning our flag. I hope they really stick it to these two idiots. My grandchildren went to Cy- Fair & was proud of their school I know the school was not to blame, just two idiots thinking they were doing something cute. Stick it to them!!!!!!!Grannie

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

I will bet this scum disappears to another state
and his family writes off the 12k bond.

[Grampa Dave]

Every state needs to make burning a flag without prior premission or authorization an enviralmental crime with severe punishment for fouling the environment.

Make the unauthorizated burning of "ANY" flag a crime against the enviroment with severe punishment. I don't think that to many local governments would approve of burning an American Flag in today's environment.

[PetroniDE]

Houston area ping. I suspect the "students" didn't do well in civics.

[SAMWolf]

The flag had been draped on the coffin of McCord's brother, an Army veteran who died in May 1999. At his burial, the flag had been presented to McCord's mother, who died in December.

The rest of my life would be devoted to making this kid's like a living hell.

[anymouse]

Let all Texans know that these scum committed this disgraceful act.

[M Kehoe]

Randall W. Heinrichs, of the 14500 block of Enchanted Valley in Cypress, was arrested at his home Saturday...

Methinks that Randall may be able to make it in this life if people read his name, go to his address, and administer a severe a$$ whipping to him a few times.

Then again, I could be wrong. Some people just need killing.

5.56mm

[MeekOneGOP]

Arson investigator Lonnie Blevins, of the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office, said in a statement that several posters with anti-American and racially motivated hate messages were found in Heinrichs' room when he was arrested.

A skin-head, maybe? Sheesh !

[MeekOneGOP]

Cy-Fair teen is charged in flag burnings
(burned someone else's flags)

Excerpt:

The flag had been draped on the coffin of McCord's brother, an Army veteran who died in May 1999. At his burial, the flag had been presented to McCord's mother, who died in December.

"It meant a lot to me, and now it's gone," McCord said. She said that flames from the flag charred the eaves of her building and could have ignited insulation, putting her out of business.

McCord said she didn't know Heinrichs or the other suspect, or what motivated them.

Heinrichs also was charged in connection with a March 16 incident in which a flag was burned on the campus of Goodson Middle School, on Huffmeister at Barker-Cypress Road.

Arson investigator Lonnie Blevins, of the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office, said in a statement that several posters with anti-American and racially motivated hate messages were found in Heinrichs' room when he was arrested.

Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my Texas ping list!. . .don't be shy.
No, you don't HAVE to be a Texan to get on this list!

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks. bttt . . .

[Brownie74]

Click on my profile page. I am 100% for our flag and our troops.

This little flag burning dirt bag doesn't deserve to live in America.

[Jen]

#%$^, what a delinquent.

[memaw]

Just think of the YOUNG PATRIOTS the same age of these cowards, were over there fighting & many of them gave their life while these scumbags were over here stealing & burning the very flag that the heroes were fighting for. These two are nothing but thives & cowards to steal & burn the flag, The symbol of our precious freedom.--HEY YOU SCUMBAGS, I HOPE YOU SEE THIS SO YOU WILL KNOW JUST HOW SCUMMY WE THINK YOU ARE...YOU DON'T HAVE THE NERVE TO STEAL IN DAYLIGHT. YOU ARE LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT.[COWARD

[weegee]

Repeat offender leftist arsonist.

Related threads:

Teens arrested for smashing 'decadent' SUVs (locked dupe)
Teens arrested for smashing 'decadent' SUVs ( The next generation of Libs )
Teens arrested for smashing 'decadent' SUVs

Backstory:

Cy-Fair teen is charged in flag burnings (burned someone else's flags)
Flag-burning teen indicted for arson

[weegee]

PING! He's baaaaaack!

See the links I posted above. The left wing nut firebug continues. Throw the book at him, he's a thug.

Feel free to notify others of the update.

[Flyer]

SUV smashing flag burnin' recycled wanna be anarchist *PING!*

As always, a FReep mail will get you on or off this Houston topics ping list.