For the second time in the past two weeks, police are investigating election sign theft in the riding of Elgin St. Thomas London South.
In a news release Saturday, St. Thomas Police said they have been receiving an increasing number of calls regarding thefts of signs from various locations throughout the city.
“On Friday the 18 of April 2025, we received a similar call for service and through investigation, learned that approximately eight residences had election signs from various political parties taken from their lawns,” police said in the release.
“Video was obtained showing a male, believed to be in his late teens or early 20s, with medium length brown hair, wearing a white ball cap and a white shirt, exiting a black hatchback and removing the signs. The hatchback appeared to have several other youths inside. The matter is currently under investigation.”
This is the second reported incident of this happening during the campaign. On April 6 in Port Burwell, OPP were looking into the theft of nearly all of Liberal candidate David Goodwin’s signs in the village. At that time, PC candidate Andrew Lawton said his campaign “had numerous instances of theft and damage.”
Saturday morning, Goodwin posted this message on his Facebook page that “it’s happened again.”
“It’s happened again. While there are always signs thefts here and there during election campaigns, we’ve experienced another flood of organized sign removal,” Goodwin wrote.
“Overnight in recent days, all of our signs on certain streets have gone missing. We’re replacing them as fast as we can. Once again, the police are involved. Whomever is doing this doesn’t care about democracy. Doesn’t care about the local retirees who are installing signs in what has been a cold, rainy spring. Doesn’t respect private property or homeowners’ right to express themselves. Doesn’t care about our volunteers and supporters. Please share this message and if you have any information, please call police. Our community, regardless of political stripes, rejects this unlawful, unethical behaviour.”
St. Thomas Police Service is asking anyone with information to contact them or Crime Stoppers.
OPP Const. Sarah Bram told CTV during after the Port Burwell theft that there can be serious consequences for sign theft.
“We understand that people’s emotions are high with the election season, and politics have made us very divided these days,” Bram told CTV.
“Unfortunately, as much as you may be tempted to do that, you could be charged with trespassing, you could face criminal charges, theft, mischief. It’s not worth it. Just leave it alone.”
In addition to PC Andrew Lawton and Liberal David Goodwin running in the riding, Stephen Campbell is up for election with the PPC and Paul Pighin with the NDP.
