Thief takes 1,628 highway signs Thief takes 1,628 highway signs (January 07, 2005)

Weed trimmer also taken

By Roseanne G. Pereira

A Caltrans maintenance facility on the 1700 block of Old Middlefield Way was broken into last week, and more than 1,600 highway signs were stolen. The theft occurred sometime between 3 p.m. on Dec. 27 when employees left the facility for the day and 6:40 a.m. on Dec. 28 when they arrived at work the next morning.

A padlock outside the gate of the facility and locks on the storage sheds containing the signs had been cut.

No known motive has been determined for the theft, nor have suspects been apprehended.

While initial reports estimated the number of signs stolen was about 200, those numbers have since grown after a more thorough inventory by Caltrans took place later in the week.

"As of Tuesday, the total number of signs stolen was 1,628," said police spokesperson Jim Bennett.

The signs indicated general directions. "Some examples are U.S. Route, Interstate, Scenic Route, California Highway," said Bennett.

Caltrans spokesperson Lauren Wonder speculated on the motive and nature of the crime. "Usually when people steal signs, it's for scrap metal, and it's easy pickings. People just take a few from the top. The signs are heavy, so it would be difficult to carry a lot of signs somewhere," said Wonder.

But a recycling center might know the signs are stolen, she added, since they were all supposed to be stamped with "State of California" on the back.

The aluminum the signs are made from might be an important factor in the theft, suggested Bennett. He also mentioned another item missing along with the signs.

"A weed trimmer," added Bennett. "Why not?"

E-mail Roseanne Pereira at rpereira@mv-voice.com

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