Police have arrested a Portsmouth man accused of stealing nearly two dozen political campaign signs.

 

The investigation began on Oct. 20, when Tiverton Town Council President John Edwards reported that his campaign signs had been stolen.

 

Edwards told investigators that he first noticed the signs he and other candidates had placed near the Longplex Family & Sports Center were gone on Oct. 17. He explained that he replaced the missing signs that same day.

 

Police said Edwards became concerned after learning his new signs had also been stolen few days later.

 

Investigators were able to identify the suspect using surveillance footage and membership records from Longplex.

 

Police were able to determine that, on Oct. 14 and Oct. 19, the suspect visited Longplex’s fitness center and removed several campaign signs from the lawn while leaving.

 

The suspect was taken into custody on Monday and charged with two misdemeanor counts of larceny under $1,500.

 

Police said he cooperated with the investigation and admitted to stealing campaign signs in both Tiverton and Portsmouth.

 

In total, investigators recovered 22 campaign signs from the suspect.

 

See more at wpri.com.