Overland Park police are involved in two separate sign theft cases and one suspect has been identified. Signs opposed to the $75 million dollar soccer fields were stolen in both cases. Many of the signs, handmade, read "Vote No for Soccer Welfare," and "$5 million per field! Vote No." Over 200 signs have disappeared in the last few weeks. (See signs below)

Police Identify Suspect

Overland Park Police have identified a suspect in the recent sign theft along 95th and Metcalf in Overland Park. It seems the suspect was removing signs opposed to the soccer complex proposed for 159th and 69 Highway. A witness to the theft quickly noted that the suspect was a white male, 5' 9," driving a maroon Ford Freestar Missouri Plates 152 TFJ. The plate was registered to Enterprise Leasing of Kansas.

The witness notified Joyce Millard, treasurer of Blue Valley Homeowners Against Tax Waste, whose group had originally placed the opposition signs along 95th and Metcalf. Millard, in turn, contacted Enterprise Leasing, who denied leasing the car.

When police entered the case, Enterprise Leasing admitted that a car they had leased was involved. Officer Scott Shannon, assigned to the case, reported to Millard that a suspect has been identified. The identity of this suspect has not yet been released.

The police report included the fact that over 200 soccer opposition yard signs have been stolen or vandalized during the past few weeks-- many the very next day after they are put up.

Police Investigating Second Incident

In a second separate case, Overland Park police have been given the license plate number of a man caught vandalizing signs by Jill Smale, who had originally placed the signs. The license plate number is: KS QLJ085 Johnson County.

Jill Smale stated that she saw the man removing only soccer opposition signs, not pro-soccer field signs, in broad daylight, near 159th and Antioch. When she confronted the man, he handed her the signs he had removed. He drove down the street, stopped and removed more soccer opposition signs. She followed and took down his license plate number before losing him in traffic. Police are being asked to follow up on this incident.

Groups opposed to the soccer complex fear that the loss of over 200 of their signs is not a random event that seems to occur each election season but a planned effort, possibly financed, in order to sway the election. Overland Park police confirmed that they were aware of stories of sign theft rings.

Third Vandalism Incident

Sign vandalism also occurred Tuesday night, Oct. 17, when a number of signs throughout south Overland Park, opposing the soccer complex, were spray painted "Yes" with bright red paint. Heidi Harper, living near Switzer and 159th reporting the vandalism, said "They're homemade signs for crying out loud. But this is the way the opposition seems to do business. What are they scared of?"

Reported by Shirley Phillips
for NeighborhoodNet
www.nbrhd.net
October 19, 2006

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