ROBSTOWN, Texas — It seems even election campaigns aren’t safe from crime. Robstown police received reports of campaign signs being stolen or vandalized and warned officials they would face serious legal problems if identified.

“We’re going to take this as seriously as if it were a vehicle theft,” Chief Mike Tamez said. Theft from a countryside is considered theft, because it deprives a person of their property without their consent. Stealing a sign is a class C misdemeanor, punishable by a $500 fine, but it becomes a slippery slope the more signs you steal, and it can lead to jail time.

“Let’s say you drive around and steal ten different signs from a candidate, and those signs are worth up to a thousand dollars,” Tamez said. “Well, yes, you are going to be charged with a much more serious offense for all of this…”

Fernando Arevalo

There are currently no suspects as to the identity of the vandals. It doesn’t seem like the signs are coming from one place more than another. Although Tamez mentioned it, it appears that some candidate panels are more targeted than others. He says he is currently in contact with detectives to track down footage of an offender

“We will review footage from video cameras or door cameras to do everything possible to identify a suspect. We’re not going to enable behavior by not prosecuting people.

For those responsible, Tamez had a message.

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

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