Robstown Police Department warns against theft or destruction of election signs

ROBSTOWN, Texas – It seems even election campaigns are not immune to crime. Robstown police are receiving reports of stolen or vandalized election signs and are warning those responsible they will face serious legal problems if they are identified.

“We’re going to take this as seriously as if it was a vehicle theft,” Chief Mike Tamez said. Campaign theft is considered theft because it deprives a person of property without their consent. Stealing a sign is a Class C misdemeanor and is punishable by a $500 fine, but the more signs you steal, the slipperier the matter becomes and could lead to jail time.

“Let’s say you’re driving around and you steal ten different signs from one candidate, and those signs are worth up to a thousand dollars,” Tamez said. “Well then, yes, for all this you will be charged with a much more serious crime…”

Fernando Arevalo

There are no suspects in relation to the vandals at this time. It does not appear that signs are taken from one place more often than from another. Although Tamez mentioned, it seems that certain candidate attributes are attacked more than others. He says he is currently speaking with detectives to find video footage of the perpetrator.

“We will review CCTV or door camera footage to do our best to identify the suspect. We will not promote behavior by not targeting people.”

Tamez had one message for those in charge.

“We will definitely bring those responsible to justice, even if it is considered a petty crime or petty theft, they will pay for it.”

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