Woman Arrested for Replacing American Flag with Mexican Flag
On Thursday morning at Hart Park in Bakersfield, a woman identified as Crystal Aguilar, 24, was taken into custody after reportedly cutting the chain on a flagpole and replacing the American flag with the Mexican flag. Park Rangers arrived to find her vehicle stuck in the muddy grass near the pole and discovered that the American flag had been removed. While the Kern County Sheriff’s Office mentioned the flag was thrown into the mud, video footage shows it tied to a nearby post.
Investigators say Aguilar resisted arrest and issued verbal threats to the Park Rangers. She was subsequently arrested and booked on charges of threatening a peace officer, vandalism, resisting arrest, trespassing in a vehicle, and violating county ordinance for possessing marijuana in a park. The incident was recorded on the officers’ body cameras, and the footage shows the tense interaction that led to her arrest.
During the arrest, Aguilar reportedly made threatening remarks, stating that her father would harm both the Park Rangers and their families. This behavior prompted officials to act swiftly to ensure the safety of everyone involved. According to law enforcement, the alleged vandalism and threats demonstrate a clear disregard for public property and park regulations.
Just a week prior, Aguilar had been interviewed while protesting for immigrant rights in front of Bakersfield City Hall. Her latest actions, however, resulted in criminal charges rather than a peaceful demonstration. Authorities remind the public that while it is everyone’s right to protest, any act of vandalism or threat toward others can lead to serious legal consequences.
