Howell Township police are investigating after about 130 signs for Republican mayoral candidate John Leggio were stolen, the department said in a news release on Thursday, May 9. The signs were taken on or around Tuesday, Apr. 23 and they were put in dumpsters behind Ramtown Plaza.
Police shared two photos on Facebook of a 2018 to 2023 Toyota Camry suspected in the thefts. They also posted a 20-second video of a person taking a sign before being driven away from the scene.
Leggio, who's a member of the township's planning board, said he's offering a $500 reward for anyone with information about whoever stole the signs.
"I don’t want to dwell on this issue, but theft is a crime whether it’s my campaign or my opponents," Leggio said in a Facebook post. "I can’t thank the [police department] enough for continuing to investigate this and taking it seriously. I understand some people think it’s frivolous but it’s still theft and I am funding my own campaign."
Fred Gasior, a township council member and one of Leggio's primary opponents, also joined him in offering a reward.
"Let's catch them," Gasior posted in his campaign's Facebook group.
Gasior and Leggio are running against deputy mayor Ian Nadel in the GOP primary, which will be held on Tuesday, June 4.
Anyone with information about the sign thefts should call the Howell Township Police Department at 732-938-4111, ext. 2894.
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