Yes, it actually is a crime to steal political campaign signs. And when the crime is committed by a Tennessee incumbent state representative it makes for some interesting side news—and a juicy bit of comic relief.
The 95th District State Representative Curry Todd was caught on video “lifting” campaign signs belonging to opponent Mark Lovell. After not showing up to a scheduled meeting with the Shelby Country Sheriff, Todd was arrested and charged with a “misdemeanor theft under $500.” Thankfully for Todd, Mark Lovell has a kinder heart and posted the $100 bail to get Todd released from the Big House. Lovell told Commercial Appeal:
"Someone called me and said Curry Todd is still in jail and nobody's posted his bond yet. I thought, we don't need our state representative in jail. He can get out and the judge can decide what to do about it later," Lovell said Tuesday night.
When asked whether he though Todd would repay the cost of the bond, Lovell said: "I don't know. It's like lending money to your nephews. You don't expect to get it back. I figured it was a good deed."
State Rep. Curry Todd admitted he was indeed the sign-pulling guy in the video, and basically said, Yeah, I took 'em, see?