City of Le Sueur issued the following announcement on Oct. 6.
With the election nearing, the Le Sueur Police Department has taken several reports of political sign theft and damage.
The law views campaign signs like personal property, so if someone steals your sign, that is theft under Minnesota State Statue 609.52.
Campaign signs are not cheap, and it could cost a candidate $25 or more depending on the size and design.
If you are caught with stolen property, you may be charged with possession of stolen property in violation of Minnesota State Statue 609.53. The victim may also file a civil action and seek damages.
We would also like to define trespassing (MN. Stat. § 609.605) with the intent to steal property: trespassing is an intentional, wrongful entry onto another person's land, without the owner's permission and without a legal privilege to do so.
The LSPD wants to remind everyone that we should respect each other's choices and property.
References:
1. Minnesota State Statute 609.52, Theft, located online at https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.52
2. Minnesota Statute 609.53, Receiving Stolen Property, located online at https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.53
3. Minnesota Statute 609.605, Trespass, located online at https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.605
Original source can be found here.
Source: City of Le Sueur
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