CM PRESS # 18

We just grabbed this from the CM TAXPAYERS WEBSITE:

"Please watch KTLA channel 5 tonight at 10PM for an update on the Costa Mesa man caught stealing signs. President Jim FitzpatricK will be speaking to the loss and destruction of thousands of dollars worth of signs and banners."
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RUMOR HAS IT THEY HAVE THE SIGN GUY--READ THE LAST LINE BELOW FROM CEO HATCH FOR A CLUE
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CMPD SEEMS TO INDICATE THEY MAY HAVE AN ID ON THE SIGN SUSPECT 

That's what we understand from a short statement we just received from the CMPD.
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STATEMENT FROM CEO HATCH ABOUT STOLEN SIGNS RAISES QUESTIONS

From City CEO Tom Hatch:

“The Costa Mesa Police Department received a report concerning possible damage and theft of campaign signs over the weekend. The case is being investigated.

“The City of Costa Mesa is conducting a separate and confidential personnel/administrative investigation.”

It's the last line that raises questions and eyebrows, does it not?

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WHAT WILL THE SIGN STEALER SAY?

Will he try to claim that the signs were an eyesore and that he was just removing them because of that?

Maybe he'll claim it was an honest mistake and that he thought signs shouldn't be up at that time under the law?

 He won't get far with those arguments because the video clearly shows he didn't even touch the Weitzberg sign. He walked right by it.

And, what about Weitzberg?  This guy figures if you don't like what someone has to say at the podium at City Council meetings you can just shout them down from the audience. Weitzberg even bragged about doing that.

So, maybe, this sign stealer also figures that if you don't like someone else's signs--hey, it's just their free speech rights and not yours---you can just take them down, tear them up and throw them behind bushes.
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DAILY PILOT NOW HAS THE SIGN STEALING VIDEO

Hopefully, many of you folks have made hard copies of the list of supporters of the CMFROGS, so if this guy turns out to be on one of their lists they won't be able to scrub his name and pretend they don't know him.

Also, once this guy is caught, he should not only face criminal charges but he should also be brought to small claims court to recover the cost of all the 3Ms signs and Yes on Measure V signs.

I also suspect there are some tort claims that could be pursued in Superior Court if those who have been victimized want to take it that far.
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Took signs on Fair Drive
on 10/20/12

CM TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION FACEBOOK PAGE

Go to the above link for more information on the guy who took the signs on Fair Drive.  There's also a photo of another guy who took signs and additional information.

It looks as though leads on these guys are starting to come in.

If you know this guy, contact the CM TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION
and they'll turn the information over to the CMPD. You may also get a reward if you're the first one to give good information.

One lead says this guy frequents Mi Casa on E. 17th Street, but this has not been confirmed.

The CM PRESS thinks we saw this guy at the Eastside Candidate Forum last week.  He was sitting in the back of the room


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