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Trio arrested on hate crime charges after Uplands Pride flags stolen, burned

Pride flags are seen at the state capitol Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. Members of the Tennessee Equality Project and Nashville Pride gathered to protest against proposed legislation that would ban Pride, Black Lives Matter and other flags from being displayed in Tennessee schools. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
George Walker IV/AP
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AP
Pride flags are seen at the state capitol Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Three men were arrested on hate crime charges for allegedly stealing LGBTQ+ Pride flags throughout the Uplands neighborhood on Peoria's West Bluff.

Numerous Pride flags were stolen in the area of Columbia Terrace and Glenwood overnight Sunday. Peoria police said the suspects were caught on video.

On Thursday night, a witness reported seeing three men burning a flag in the middle of North Glenwood, in the 1000 block. Officers found the burnt remnants of a multi-colored flag. Witnesses said the three stole a Pride flag from a yard, burned it, then ran off on foot.

A law enforcement task force saturated the area and arrested one suspect in the 2000 block of West Laura. A drone and K-9 were used to find the other two men, who were arrested in the 2000 block of West Sherman.

Andrew Gohring, 19, was arrested for a hate crime, criminal damage to property, and theft. Noah Gohring, 21, was arrested for a hate crime and 12 counts of theft. Both are from West Peoria.

Nathaniel Sheppard, 18, of Goodfield, also was arrested for a hate crime, criminal damage to property, and theft in connection with the Sunday night incident.

Tim is the News Director at WCBU Peoria Public Radio.