A former member of the US Marine Corps has been charged with a hate crime after a Maryland the tattoo shop’s surveillance camera apparently caught him tearing down theirs LGBTQ+ Pride flag.

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Benjamin Michael, 44, was seen walking by Dapper Dog Tattoo Shop in Annapolis around 1 a.m. on Nov. 15 when he stopped and allegedly tore down a Pride flag the business had displayed on its door, video posted by owner Charlie Garrett appears show. Michael allegedly took the flag, which read “FOLLOW NO HATE,” and put it in a nearby trash can.

Garrett contacted police afterward and posted footage of the incident on social media, asking for help identifying the man and promising that “anyone who gives us information that leads to his arrest will be connected big time from an artist of their choice, without cost.”

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The incident marked the third time someone had torn down the store’s Pride flag, Garrett said Associated Press spurred him to install the security camera. The move worked, as an employee at a nearby restaurant reached out the next day and told police she recognized the man as Michael because she had served him that night and had his name from the credit receipt.

Michael is a graduate of the US Naval Academy and served in the Marine Corps veteran from 2004 to 2013, according to the outlet. He’s got one calling and charged with willful destruction of property as well as a hate crime.

Michael’s lawyer, Norman Frost, said USA today that “my client did not intend to destroy or deface that flag and my client has no hatred against any protected class or sexual orientation or any race,” adding that, in any way, “the video does not show evidence that he hates any.”

Dapper Dog celebrated the development in a follow-up post online, thanking “the local community, our beloved customers and the internet” for their help.

“Within 6 hours we had a name. Within 12 hours (Annapolis Police Department) issued multiple charges. Within 24 hours contact was made,” it wrote. “We will always be a safe place for every person who walks through this door, no exceptions. We take being the friendliest store very seriously and will stop at nothing to protect it. Thank you all for your support and kindness. We love this city.”

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