Stop! Cops bust teen stealing street signs



SEATTLE -- A 19-year old Seattle man is in trouble after he was caught red-handed trying to steal a stop sign.

Early Wednesday morning, a witness called 911 and reported that the man was using a step stool and tools to unbolt traffic signs near NE 69th Street and Roosevelt Way NE, police said. Officers spotted the man wrestling with a stop sign, which he pulled down and dragged into the yard of a home on 12th Avenue and NE 69th Street.

They arrested him and found a tool kit in his backpack. He said he’d been out drinking with friends and thought it would be “cool” to steal some street signs. He admitted stealing two one-way signs and a no parking sign.

Officers gave the man a stern lecture and released him to his mother. Police will be forwarding the case to prosecutors for charges.

Seattle Department of Transportation officials said that if you just can't live without a street sign hanging from your wall, you can head down to the City Surplus Warehouse near 2nd Avenue and Spokane Street and legally purchase  street-related memorabilia. Bring cash.