Boise Pride flags replaced after stolen from Harrison Blvd.

BOISE, Idaho — Pride flags along Harrison Blvd. in Boise's Northend were stolen from their poles overnight.

Boise Pride Festival posted on Twitter saying they are "sad and disappointed" to report the flags were ripped down. An effort to replace them is underway and Boise Pride is asking people to support the effort by making a donation.

Boise Police said they responded to a report of a theft in progress regarding the pride flags around 2:15 Friday morning. Officers immediately found the suspect, 18-year-old Gage Burlile, who was taken to the Ada County Jail and booked for misdemeanor petit theft, according to police.

Police say the reporting party who saw the theft wished to proceed with a citizen's arrest.

Boise Mayor Lauren McLean made a statement on Twitter saying, "Boise is a welcoming and loving place for all — and my heart goes out to those who have ever been made to feel otherwise."

A Facebook post in The Northend group says the Pride flags were up for less than five days and most of the damage is between Irene and Dewey.

The total value of the flags and the dowels was around $400. A person we spoke with on Harrison Blvd. said about $1,500 has been raised and the flags are being reinforced.

Doug Lock-Smith, Idaho News 6

Friday night a group came together to replace the stolen flags with the traditional rainbow pride flag.
A representative of Boise Pride said they plan on updating the "Rainbow Pride Flag" with the "Progress Pride Flag" in the coming days and weeks.
Boise Pride says Mayor McLean and Boise Police Chief Ryan Lee gave their full support and Boise Police is stepping up patrols during the night.

Doug Lock-Smith, Idaho News 6