A pride flag was stolen from an Oceanside church on Tuesday evening.

Rev. Alex Raabe at Oceanside Lutheran Church says the flags have been targeted on three separate occasions. He says they have been stolen twice and another was damaged.

Raabe says the pride flag hanging above the church's entrance is an important symbol that everyone should feel safe inside his sanctuary.

At around noon Tuesday, one person tried to pull a pride flag down - but couldn't - instead, left the flag with a tear in its side. At around 7:30 p.m., someone else came and was able to steal the flag.

"I couldn't believe it had happened for the second time in a day," Raabe says.

He says a person stole another pride flag back in September.

The reverend says the thefts are concerning - given the antisemitic flyers that were recently distributed nearby.

"It's a concerning patten to see there are hateful actions being taken against groups of people," Raabe says.

That didn't stop Rev. Raabe though. He hung a new flag on the doorway Wednesday.

He says nothing will stop him from keeping it there as a symbol of acceptance and inclusion.

Raabe says he would love to be able to sit down and have a conversation with whoever is stealing the flag. He says he wants to let them know that what they are doing is not OK.

The reverend says he has not gone to the police to the report the incidents. The church, however, did install a camera to prevent future thefts or find the person responsible.