NORTHAMPTON — Thornes Marketplace is offering a $250 gift card to anybody who can identify several young men who set fire to pride flags hanging from the department store’s awning on Thursday.

According to the marketplace’s Facebook pages, the flags were taken down and set on fire in the middle of Main Street at around 1:23 a.m. early Thursday.

“This act of hate and intimidation has no place in our community,” Thornes wrote in the social media post. “We will not tolerate violence or vandalism meant to silence or threaten.”

Jody Doele, one of the co-owners of Thornes, told the Gazette that the marketplace realized on Friday morning that the pride flags, which have long adorned the awning of the Main Street entrance, were missing. Reviewing footage of security cameras placed outside the store, Thornes staff saw the individuals removing the flags before taking them out to the middle of Main Street and setting them on fire. Later, a car drove by and collected the burned flags into a trash bag, according to Doele.

Thornes also provided pictures showing at least four young men who were involved with the incident. The store also said it had informed the police of the incident and that they intended to file charges against the individuals involved. The store’s Facebook post had been shared more than 200 times within the first two hours of it being posted.

Doele also said that they had already received a tip about one of the individuals and police identified leads regarding some of the other suspects. She said that Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra and Northampton Police Chief John Cartledge had met to discuss the issue. Doele also thanked police for their attention to the issue.

“We’re very pleased with the police response,” Doele said. “I’m very optimistic they will be identified and face charges.”

Alexander MacDougall can be reached at amacdougall@gazettenet.com.