Campaign signs reported stolen
Staff reports

CAVE CREEK – Three candidates for Cave Creek Town Council recently reported the theft of campaign signs in the town core.

The thief has not been caught, nor are there any known suspects, and whether the motive was political or intended as a prank is not clear.

However, according to Arizona law, it is a Class 2 misdemeanor for any person to knowingly remove, alter, deface or cover any political sign of any candidate for public office for the period commencing 45 days prior to a primary election and ending seven days after the general election. Cave Creek’s primary election will be held March 13.

In addition, the theft of any property or services valued at less than $1,000 is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Candidate Bob Moore told The Desert Advocate he recently filed reports with both the Town Marshal and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. Moore said he discovered on Feb. 10 that four of his signs were stolen, plus signs belonging to candidates Robert Miller and Vice Mayor Dick Esser. Most of the missing signs had been posted in the area of Schoolhouse and Cave Creek roads.

“I honestly have no idea” who could have stolen the signs, Moore said. “It’s certainly not one of the people running for office. All of them are honorable people. I honestly think we have an overzealous person or people” who took the signs.

Moore stated his signs are valued at between $18‑$20 and were located within the right‑of‑way, rather than on private property. He said he discovered the theft in the course of driving around town to check on the signs.

According to Miller, someone stole eight of his signs that were posted in the same vicinity.

“I’m making no claims I know who took them. They’re just gone,” he said, adding the loss totals about $150. Miller, too, filed a report with the sheriff’s office.Esser lost only two of the total 10 signs he had posted throughout town. Still, he said the fact someone is stealing signs is “disappointing.” One of his signs was also in the area of Schoolhouse and Cave Creek roads; the other was near the Cave Creek Roadhouse.

Each sign was valued at about $40, Esser went on to say, adding he will file a report with the sheriff’s office if more of his signs are stolen. “I still have 10 more to put up,” he related.

Like Moore and Miller, Esser stated he doesn’t know who took the signs or why they were stolen.

“They might be on the wall of some teenager’s bedroom or some‑one who doesn’t like politicians,” he said. “I don’t know who did it. I’m not accusing anybody.”