Cliff Buchan
News EditorA rash of thefts involving political lawn signs in Forest Lake last week may have no political motive at all.
But some of the lawn sign thefts do have a connection to last weekís Forest Lake High School Homecoming events.
When officers were called to a home in the 5800 block of N. 214th St. on Saturday they found 20-25 political signs gracing the lawn. The residence is the home of one of the high schoolís queen candidates.
The thieves who took the lawn signs were not discriminatory. The signs covered a wide range of city, county, state and national political races that will be on the ballot on Nov. 2.
As of Tuesday, about 20 of the recovered political signs were being stored at the Forest Lake Police Station, 220 N. Lake St. Sgt. Ron Hanegraaf said anyone who has had a sign stolen call 651-464-5877 for more information or check the police station.
None of the stolen Kerry-Edwards signs have been found.
In a related matter, city police said this week they received three more theft reports of political lawn signs.
A homeowner in the 900 block of Iden Ave. N. reported the theft of a Bush-Cheney sign on Sept. 29.
On Oct. 1, a resident in the 1000 block of North Shore Drive reported a Kerry-Edwards sign had been stolen for a third time.
On Oct. 3, a resident in the 500 block of NW 3rd Ave. reported the theft of a Kerry-Edwards sign and a Wetterling for Congress sign. This marked the second time political signs had been taken from this yard.
Sharewood damage
Police in Forest Lake continue to receive reports of vandalism and damage to Sharewood Forest Community Playground between Forest Lake and Forest View elementary schools on SW 4th St.
On Oct. 1, damage amounting to $650 was reported at the playground. This is the third such vandalism report this fall, police said. A number of juveniles were questioned in connection to the damage but no charges have been filed.
Police are encouraging neighbors to report any suspicious behavior or late-night activities at the playground.
Police in Forest Lake and Wyoming dealt with four juveniles who allegedly took signs from along the Hardwood Creek Trail and Sunrise Prairie Trail on Sunday.
At 4 p.m. Sunday, police in Forest Lake stopped three juveniles who were carrying a snowmobile stop ahead sign that had been taken from near 240th St. and the county line. Charges of possession of stolen property are being considered.
About one hour earlier, police in Wyoming stopped four juveniles for a similar incident. One youth, an 18-year-old male from Forest Lake, was later ticketed for possession of stolen property, police said.
Other reports
In other reports, police in Forest Lake are:
ïInvestigating another series of vandalism reports and thefts from autos, prompting police to ask vehicle owners to lock their cars and remove valuables from plain sight.
ïInvestigating a report of the theft of a 1992 Mercury outboard motor and a shed break-in on Oct. 3 from 20571 Keewahtin Ave. N.
ïInvestigating the theft of a U.S. flag and a state flag from a residence in the 1000 block of SW 7th Avenue overnight on Oct. 2.
ïInvestigating the theft of a 1995 Honda Civic from Beadiful World, 95 N. Lake St. on Oct. 2. The vehicle has been recovered in St. Paul, police said.
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