Two youths have been issued summons in connection with the theft of political signs, according to the Fulton Police Department.
During the weekend of Oct. 20, the Callaway County Democratic Committee reported the theft of several large political signs from Wood Street. Each sign was worth about $65, estimated Bryant Liddle, the committee's chairman. They were later recovered from the woods near the Fulton High School by a Fulton Sun reporter.
Police later investigated the area, which is part of Fulton High School's cross country trail. Officers located several other missing items, including a barrier pole that belonged to the Fulton Park and Recreation department and a sign belonging to William Woods University. The items had been arranged in a clearing marked "Junior Village," Major Roger Rice stated.
In a statement issued Monday, Rice stated a concerned resident alerted police Friday that several young people had been talking about taking the signs and putting them in the woods. Based on the information, two young men were picked up for questioning.
Police determined 17-year-olds Clayton Prettyman and Robert Eliuk, along with a juvenile, were responsible for the thefts, Rice said. The two 17-year-olds were issued summons to appear in the Fulton Municipal Court for stealing and released to their parents, he added.
Rice pointed out last week that while most people obtain political signs for free, it's still a crime to steal them.
Dean Powell, who heads the Callaway County Republicans, said the group has had several signs stolen, including three large signs. He hasn't made police reports, he said last week.