Theft of Washington County campaign signs reported to Maryland State Police
Maryland State Police confirmed Tuesday they received a report from a Washington County commissioner candidate that at least four of his campaign signs had been stolen.
Candidate Derek Harvey told Herald-Mail Media on Tuesday that eight campaign signs were stolen from at least four spots along Downsville Pike or Sharpsburg Pike in recent days. The large signs were attached to frames, two signs to a frame.
In two cases, it appears the thief or thieves unscrewed the panel signs from their frames, while others were cut out of the frames, Harvey said in a phone interview. Some solar-powered flood lights for the signs also were stolen, according to texts from Harvey.
Harvey said it appears the thefts occurred Sunday night or early Monday.
He reported the thefts to the Washington County Sheriff's Office on Monday. Because the two roads are state highways, they are in state police jurisdiction, so he reported them stolen to state police on Tuesday.
Sgt. D. Ward with state police said there were no cameras in the area of the stolen signs so there's "nothing really to investigate" unless state police receive tips. Anyone with information about the thefts may call state police at 301-766-3800.
Sgt. Carly Hose, with the sheriff's office, confirmed the sheriff's office received a report Monday of a stolen Harvey campaign sign at Downsville Pike near West Oak Ridge Drive. She also found a theft report filed with state police for a sign stolen along Downsville Pike, near the Interstate 70 overpass. That report noted a solar-powered light also had been stolen, she said.
Patrols for the sheriff's office were made aware of the thefts so they can keep an eye out for such incidents, Hose said.
Barry Jackson, deputy director for the Washington County Board of Elections, said Tuesday morning the office hadn't received any reports of stolen or damaged campaign signs. If someone were to report vandalized or stolen campaign signs, he said they would be referred to the police agency that has jurisdiction for that area.
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This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Theft of Washington County campaign signs reported to Md. State Police
