Patriot act: Man climbs to top of iconic Sandy-ravaged roller coaster and plants U.S. flag 'to raise awareness of stricken Jersey Shore'



A man climbed to the top of the iconic roller coaster in Seaside Heights this afternoon and hung an American flag at the top of the damaged ride before being arrested by police.

Christopher Angelo, who was described by New Jersey police who arrested him as being very patriotic, said that it was his duty to raise awareness of the seaside town along the Jersey Shore after it was all but decimated during Superstorm Sandy.

The Jet Star has remained in the ocean since the October 29 storm.

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Daredevil: Christopher Angelo, 38, climbed the Jet Star roller coaster this afternoon and planted an American flag at the top

Moments before: Seen standing at the top of the storm-ravaged roller coaster, Christopher Angelo is seen next to his American flag just before his arrest Mission complete: The 38-year-old paddled out to the Seaside Heights Jet Star coaster in a canoe to plant the flag before seen here leaving to an awaiting police boat Exit: Angulo was handcuffed after jumping into the boat waiting below and being taken back to shore Crashed plans: The police boat is seen carrying them back to shore, along with three duffel bags they found in his possession containing food, clothes and other items leading them to believe Angelo planned to camp out on the structure Waving high: The flag remained even after Angelo was arrested; the coaster has been sitting in the ocean after part of the Funtown Pier was destroyed during Superstorm Sandy

According to NBC New York , the 38-year-old resident of Lavallette paddled out to sea in a canoe, American flag in tow.

He then scaled the coaster until he got to the top, and unfurled the flag at the coaster’s pinnacle.

Members of the Seaside Heights police department, as well as the U.S. Coast Guard and the New Jersey state police were standing by.

Angelo walked from the top of the coaster and hopped into a police boat this afternoon.



He was handcuffed, walked through the surf and escorted to a police car that was on the beach.

One Twitter user posted a picture of Angelo on top of the still-standing coaster with the flag blowing in the wind.

The user tweeted: ‘Lol some guy climbed the Jet Star roller coaster in the ocean in Seaside today…people are SO crazy.’

Crime scene: A woman takes a photograph of the Jet Star Roller Coaster with the flag on it from behind police lines

A month on: The Jet Star roller coaster, pictured on November 29, plunged into the ocean when Superstorm Sandy wrecked the amusement pier on which it sat

Long days ahead: Crews continue to work on the boardwalk and hope to have parts of it functional for the summer months

Seaside Heights police chief Tommy Boyd told the station that Angelo ‘did it for America.’

The police head added that they found three duffel bags full of food, clothes, and other victuals, indicating that Angelo was willing to camp out on the structure.

Angelo told police that he is an avid climber and surfer.

Police have apprehended a man who apparently climbed the New Jersey roller coaster that was swept into the ocean during Superstorm Sandy and unfurled an American flag.

News 12-New Jersey says Christopher Angelo told the channel he wanted to raise awareness for shore recovery.

Days gone by: The coaster was featured in MTV's 'Jersey Shore' when Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi and Jionni Lavalle filmed there

His mother says the 38-year-old lives at his grandmother's home in Lavallette. Diane Angelo said that her son is a bit of a daredevil.

Angelo was charged with criminal trespassing, and is scheduled to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

While there are eventual plans to tear down the coaster made famous by the cast of ‘Jersey Shore,’ there is no concrete plan to do so.