Man Knocks Self Out Stealing Campaign Signs

[Gorf]

By Tinuola Awopetu, Court TV

(Court TV) — A Republican in Colorado fell flat on his face trying to steal campaign signs touting John Kerry and other local Democratic candidates.

According to Wheat Ridge Police spokesperson Officer Lisa Stigall, Randal Wagner was already wanted for questioning about a rash of campaign-sign thefts when he was discovered lying unconscious across a stolen sign Oct. 13.

Earlier that evening, a homeowner reported to police that he saw Wagner, 50, cutting down a campaign sign bolted to his fence. The sign was in support of a local Democratic candidate running for Congress.

The man confronted Wagner, who allegedly fled in a truck with his wife. The man gave the vehicle's plate number to police.

While police located the Wagners' home, Wagner was busy at work on another sign put up by a store in the business district, Stigall said.

But he encountered resistance.

"He already had the sign in hand and was running out of the parking lot when he tripped over a low chain that blocked off the driveway," Stigall said.

Wagner fell flat on his face and was knocked unconscious. His wife, unaware of his accident, remained in the car.

An officer driving by noticed the figure lying on the ground and called for an ambulance. Wagner was treated for cuts and abrasions to his face.

Police discovered two dozen campaign signs in the back of the couple's truck and issued Wagner a summons for theft, trespassing, criminal tampering and disorderly conduct.

The outcome of the presidential race won't be the only thing keeping Wagner on his toes in November. He's scheduled to appear in court Nov. 22 to find out if he'll receive jail time.

[Mr. Pink]

Well, this does not surprise me. If there is one thing that really annoys me, its people lacking what my friend and I call "Unusual" sense. (Formerly Common Sense, but due to it lacking the Common part we renamed it). Though, don't forget about the idiots doing the same thing against republicans. I think that things are going a way to far.


By the way, how is God's Country these days? Is it past its fall beauty?

[Gorf]

There are still some nice colors to be seen here these days, however, its been a bit overcast and dreary much of this week.


As for the political signs being stolen in general - yes its done against both parties. Sometimes its random non-politically affiliated people that get sick of seeing the signs everywhere.


In one of the Burb's up here though some city workers were "maintaining the letter of the ordinance for placing such signs". They walked off with several Kerry signs from yards in a neighborhood because they weren't the required 10' from the curb.

One of the people that had a sign removed called the city to report it and were told it was being done by city worker because the signs were too close to the curb.

When asked why only the Kerry signs were removed in the neighborhood while Bush signs in neighbor's yards were clearly closer than 10' to the curb they were told it was probably just an oversight, however, the rule is well publicized.

The local media caught onto the story. They were taken to a "big ol' woodshed" by one of the city workers where hundreds of signs had been stashed after being removed from various yards. Indeed there were signs from both presidential candidates strewn about the place.

The media folks then decided to follow up on the idea that the 10' rule was well publicized. They stopped by the mayor's house. He had a bunch of signs in his front yard. He watched as the media folks measure how close his signs were to the curb. When they told him the some of the signs were too close he said "I guess I'll have to move em in that case." They filmed him moving the signs.

I wish they'd told him "No you're honor, those signs are illegally posted and will have to be impounded. You can contact your own office to get them back tomorrow."

[Mr. Pink]

No doubt if your ANY person of importance you will get special treatment. I think it is making our youth less compitent. Just yesterday I was told by the head of the Physical plant here at the University that the students in the dorms wanted the school to remove their garbage. All they have to do is walk down the stairs and out the door, across a small parking lot to the dumpster. A total of 200 foot steps...too taxing and time consuming.

Just thought that was rediculous. Though, if they are lacking unusual sense, they probably can't find the dumpster....hell, maybe they don't know what it is.


I love MN, anytime of year. The winter has some fun stuff to do, but the summer is my fav. I am a big fisherman. I have family up there.

[Gorf]

Defender said:

I love MN, anytime of year. The winter has some fun stuff to do, but the summer is my fav. I am a big fisherman. I have family up there.

I moved here in 1984 for a 1 year contract with plans to move to Seattle the following year.

Apparently, 20 years later the "following year" hasn't arrived yet.