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.

The man walked from the top of the coaster and hopped into a police boat Tuesday. He was handcuffed, walked through the surf and escorted to a police car on the beach in Seaside Heights.

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

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

The remnants of the Jet Star Roller Coaster have become one of the iconic images of the storm.