A Connecticut man has been arrested and charged with illegally removing a campaign sign of mayoral candidate Michael Sarich.
According to police officials, on Oct. 6, 34-year-old Orlando Abreu was spotted removing a sign near Tampico Grill on Route 1 about 8:30 p.m., while a fundraiser was taking place at the restaurant.
"A city employee called in the theft of the political sign and when the police arrived, the gentleman was pointed out to them and an arrest was made," said city spokeswoman Careen Koubek.
As candidates campaign in races for the Nov. 1 election for mayor and the five City Council seats, police said there are reports of more signs taken than in past local elections. More than 100 signs had been removed at the beginning of the month, mainly from residents' yards, with most of them belonging to Mayor Craig Moe, who is seeking a third term in office. He's running against former City Councilman Sarich and Ethics Commissioner Valerie Cunningham.
Police officials put out the word that officers, in official and unmarked police vehicles, would be on the lookout for people taking campaign yard signs and said those caught tampering with candidates' signs would be prosecuted.
"My officers are still on the watch for this and, absolutely, if someone is caught taking signs, they will be prosecuted and legal action taken against them," said Police Chief Richard McLaughlin.
Those found guilty of removing or tampering with political signs could be charged with a misdemeanor and face from three to 18 months in jail and fines up to $1,000. If the value of the signs taken is more than $1,000, the penalty would classify as a felony, with a stiffer jail sentence of 15 months or more and fines up to $25,000. Additional trespassing charges could also be filed against anyone caught removing a sign from a resident's private property.
McLaughlin said in some cases of stolen campaign signs, they've discovered that it was an issue of home owners' association officials having the signs removed because they did not comply with their community regulations. Some of those signs have been returned and replaced according to McLaughlin.
"The associations have been told that the candidates have a constitutional right to place the signs (in their communities), which takes precedent," McLaughlin said. "No one can supersede the constitution."