Piglet, Pooh among street signs stolen in Fayetteville at cost of $20K to taxpayers

Cumberland County Sheriff Ennis Wright said Monday that more than 80 street signs were stolen in Fayetteville last weekend.

He's looking for the public's assistance to help find those who are responsible for these thefts.

A total of 84 street signs were stolen from 42 intersections from the Eastover area extending into the Wade-Stedman area.

"It's a big deal to not have signs, you know, for the sheriff's office, for the police department, for animal control, for EMS firefighters – we all need to know where we're going," Lt. Patrice Bogertey told WRAL News.

Could the distinctive street names in these neighborhoods have made them irresistible to thieves?

Bogertey is not sure. Signs stolen include Tigger, Piglet and Pooh.

"That's a certain neighborhood. They all have themed street names," he said.

The theft could have been a grab for scrap metal.

Asked, "Is this the new catalytic converter?" Bogertey said she did not know. "It's a possibility. We haven't ruled it out at this time."

Authorities are scrubbing through surveillance video from the area in hopes of catching a thief. Anyone with information about the signs or the thieves is asked to call 910-323-1500.

Staff at the Cumberland County Sign Shop worked quickly to replace the signs, but that cost taxpayers about $20,000.

"This blew the sign budget out of the window," Bogertey said. "This is not something that we planned for. The fact that this happened is terrible."