ALEXANDRIA, Minn. — A search warrant executed in Alexandria, Minnesota Wednesday turned up a stash of something Police Chief Scott Kent doesn't see every day.
Yard signs - and LOTS of 'em.
The warrant was executed on a home in the resort town after months of investigating, Chief Kent said, and at the residents law enforcement located more than 240 different signs, from real estate markers to political campaigns and those advertising special events that take place in Alexandria during the busy summer months.
A search warrant filed in Douglas County says a suspect was recognized in a number of instances taking signs and putting them in her van. When a deputy spoke with the suspect, she indicated frustration with law enforcement removing a sign a family member had placed in a public right of way. Police body cam video captured her telling a Douglas County deputy, "If I put a sign within 12 feet of this property, by law you as a person could come by and take that piece of property because it's in the right of way... you can't put even, technically, a garage sale sign or a realtor sign, kay? Them bi*&$%# gotta go."
Signs are expensive, the chief noted, ranging from $10 for small ones up to $300 or more for larger, custom signs. Added together, the value of the stolen property easily tops the $1,000 needed to file felony charges.
The big question... what's behind the sign theft bonanza? Chief Kent believes the suspected perpetrator has a motive but says it is "premature" to discuss his suspicions.
When asked if he'd seen anything like this, the chief said he's dealt with nuisance-level sign stealing cases but "not to this level."
Alexandria police have forwarded their investigation to the Douglas County Attorney's Office for consideration of criminal charges. In the meantime, they are contacting the sign owners to come and pick them up.
At this point no one has been arrested for the sign thefts.
