Pranksters take heed: sign theft is a crime

Nevada Daily Mail

Street sign theft is a crime -- one that seems to be running rampant in unincorporated areas of Vernon County.

One sign in particular -- that marking Rebel Road, has been a favorite of thieves, and commissioners are determined to put a stop to such crimes.

It's an ongoing problem. In September, then presiding commissioner David Darnold said in a report at a chamber of commerce gathering about the progress of sign placement that "some of the signs are awfully popular." Rebel and Jayhawker roads signs in place on Friday are frequently missing by Monday.

"It's against the law, by the way, to take a county road sign. They usually disappear about 3 or 4 in the morning on Saturday night. It's an idea that, by the next morning, probably didn't seem like that good an idea," Darnold said, noting that signs marked "VCRD" probably were not obtained legally and should be returned.

Now the county appears to be taking a harder look at such cases.

Some see sign theft as a harmless prank, but commissioners say it's not harmless at all. It's costing the county money, commissioners said, and the county's slim budget doesn't need such extras added in.

According to a letter from commissioners to Vernon County Prosecutor Lynn Ewing III, "it is going to cost over $4,000 to replace those that have been stolen or destroyed."

Ewing said in a letter responding to commissioners' questions about the crimes involved and the penalties, that damage or theft of county signs is dealt with under the criminal statutes addressing stealing and property damage. Such crimes are classified as misdemeanors. Receiving such signs is also a crime -- a misdemeanor as well, as is property damage. Ewing went on to explain that theft and receiving the stolen signs would probably be an "A" misdemeanor, which is punishable by one day to one year in the county jail, a fine of up to $1,000 or both. Property damage would most likely be a "B" misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to six months in jail or a fine of up to $500, or both -- half that of the "A" misdemeanors. Ewing also noted that restitution is always requested by the state.

Ewing also noted that if a case were made against someone, a discussion about what sort of example should be made in dealing with the offender would take place at that time.