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11:21 a.m. • 5-25-13

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Published: 2008-10-08 16:59:00
Updated: 2008-10-08 20:10:07

McCain, Obama signs reported stolen from supporters' yards


McCain sign
McCain sign
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Raleigh police say they've received reports of dozens of presidential campaign signs in people's yards being stolen or defaced.

Haze Lancaster said he didn't think much about it when the first sign supporting Sen. John McCain disappeared from his front yard. But when it kept happening, he bought an infrared camera to try to catch the culprit.

"I probably had about 30 signs," Lancaster said. "It's a violation of free speech, and it's also stealing."

Someone has also stolen two signs supporting Sen. Barack Obama from Donna Wolcutt's home near North Carolina State University. Now, she says, her neighbors have resorted to posting signs on their houses.

"It does make you sad to think that you can't put a sign up in your yard," Wolcutt said.

In another case, someone stole a woman's Obama signs and left dead mice in their place.

"It's a cowardly way of doing something," said Grace Stroud.

Stroud's sign supporting Obama is still standing on her lawn, but someone threw a packet of material on her lawn attacking the Illinois senator.

"There's more appropriate ways than just lobbing material that's obviously meant to be derogatory on someone's lawn," Stroud said.

Raleigh police say they've received nine reports of approximately 24 signs stolen – about an even number of signs supporting both candidates.

They say it's a difficult crime to solve unless thieves are caught in the act.


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Latest Comments
mt1190...again you have been misled...3% of the worlds energy resources will power this nation for 300-400 years.

In the scope of our nations problems this is a concern? No wonder we have lost our priorites. Those people should be grateful they have a home to put a sign in front of! I bet the police are laughing thier kiesters off about this "crime". Get real people

Instead of stealing signs, switch them. That will get those homeowners roaring!

It's reap what you sow, not sew. Kind of hard to take some one seriously who doesn't have a grasp on the english language.

"There is no such thing as "all of a sudden". Problems with the economy didn't just pop up out of the ground. They've been there and it is going to take the new congress to get a handle on what was already a big sloppy mess way before... hhhmmmm shame-shame."

Yep - the people running for congress promised to fix it 50 years ago, 40 years ago, 30 years ago... In fact, Obama when he was running for senator promised it.

Guess what? The more he pitches change - the more he sounds like Jimmy Carter and that Moron George McGovern - who both pitched change in their elections.

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