(Clarinda) — Removing or damaging a political sign is illegal – that’s the message from Clarinda police in light of a recent incident.

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers told KMA News a series of sign thefts occurred throughout the community on the night of October 20.

“We have received reports of numerous political signs being stolen from residential yards throughout the community,” Brothers said. “It wasn’t in one area of ​​town, but it was random and in various parts of town. I believe we ended up having about 25 to 40 political signs that were taken out of people’s yards. “

Brothers says no candidates were targeted by the sign stealing.

“They spanned the entire political spectrum,” he said. “I don’t believe there was any intention to do that because signs of all different types of candidates were taken. I believe it was just a matter of strictly taking down signs in the gardens, if you want, and just randomly, without thinking about what signs these individuals were taking.”

Brothers says most of the signs were recovered and returned to Page County Republican and Democratic party officials. The chief says vandalism or theft of political signs is illegal under two criminal offenses: trespassing and/or theft.

“If you enter onto someone’s private property, residential property to place something there, or to remove something from their property,” the brothers said, “under the Iowa Penal Code, you commit the crime of simple trespass In addition, political persons signs according to the legal definition are what is defined as real property And therefore, you take the sign of any other person, which also constitutes a crime of theft.

Likewise, Brothers says campaign signs are prohibited in city rights-of-way and must be removed within 24 hours of the election. Anyone with information regarding recent sign thefts or laws regarding political signs should contact Clarinda Police at 712-542-2194 or your local law enforcement agency.