GLOUCESTER, Mass. (AP) – A Lynn man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to allegedly tearing down an American flag that was hanging along this city’s main boulevard.

Noah Bradley, 23, was arraigned in Gloucester District Court on one count of malicious destruction of the American flag. Bradley was released without bail Tuesday.

Bradley’s attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Police arrested Bradley on Saturday night after he was allegedly seen tearing down the flag on Stacy Boulevard.

The night before, vandals stole a large flag hanging near the boulevard and ruined about 30 smaller flags lining the boulevard. Since the flags were hung on Memorial Day, almost 50 have been taken or destroyed. Police increased surveillance in the area in response to the vandalism, the Gloucester Daily Times reported.

Bradley is not suspected of the other acts of vandalism, said Gloucester police Sgt. John McCarthy.