Sign thieves caught on camera, police say

Police are looking for information on two individuals caught by surveillance camera stealing a large political sign from the yard of 63 Concord Street in Peterborough on Friday night.

The large “Trump/Pence” sign was taken by two men, one who appears to be young and the other several years older, both wearing glasses. 

“The same sign had been slashed previously, so the owner put up a surveillance camera,” said Peterborough Police Chief Scott Guinard. “The footage is a little grainy, but we hope that someone will be able to recognize the individuals and contact police.”

New Hampshire RSA 664:17 forbids the removal, defacement of destruction of any political advertising on public or private property. In the case of private property, political signs may only be removed with the landonwer’s permission. When a sign is placed in a public right-of-way, the signs may only be removed by the owner’s permission, or by law enforcement removing improperly placed advertising or signs left up longer than two weeks after an election.

The Legislature has established a fine of up to $1,000 per violation for removing, defacing, or destroying political advertising on private property.

The theft occurred at approximately 11 p.m. on Friday evening. Anyone who can identify the two individuals to please give the Peterborough Police Department a call at 924-8050. This case is being investigated by Sergeant Michael Chapdelaine of the Peterborough Police Department. 

Ashley Saari can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.