Authorities investigating campaign sign thefts, vandalism

Candidates in the upcoming primary election have reported incidents of vandalism and theft of political campaign signs in Fort Bend County.

Vandalizing or stealing political campaign signs is a crime, and if apprehended, those responsible could face criminal prosecution.

District Attorney Brian Middleton stated, “These actions do not reflect the character of Fort Bend County. Destruction of political campaign signs is an unsophisticated attempt to affect an election and is not likely to affect the outcome at all. Want to do something meaningful and brave? Vote.”

Anyone with information regarding these crimes should contact the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office or the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office.

Taral Patel, the former Chief of Staff for Fort Bend County, former Biden Presidential Appointee, and now Democratic candidate for Fort Bend Commissioner - Precinct 3, has filed a police report with the Fort Bend Constable’s Office after multiple campaign signs of his were violently targeted and slashed to shreds throughout Fort Bend County.

The first batch of slashed signs were found last week in the TX 99 / 90 intersection in Richmond and on the 1464 corridor outside the Aliana neighborhood, Patel reported.

Days later, a second batch of slashed signs were found next to the gas station outside the Chelsea Harbour neighborhood in Sugar Land, he added. Then, a new batch of slashed signs were identified on Brand Lane in the City of Stafford.

The case number with the Constable’s Office is S0-24-478.

“Cowardly intimidation tactics and bullying of our people-powered, grassroots campaign by slashing down our signs will not be tolerated in Fort Bend County. We must stand for our institutions of Democracy, free from the January 6 style violence trying to take hold right here at home.” said Taral Patel, Democratic Candidate for Fort Bend County Commissioner.

“Our campaign has filed an official police report and is offering a $5,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) and/or campaign(s) responsible.”

Sonny Colunga, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for Fort Bend County Sheriff, is also offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for damaging his campaign signs.

“Several locations were hit and several candidates running for office in Fort Bend County, including me, appear to have been selectively targeted,” he said. “I am not a politician and I don’t like political games. I will not be bullied. We all deserve better. I am filing a report on my behalf with the proper authorities and I am asking for this to be investigated. Not only is this a crime but also costly to the candidates who are running for office. “My hope for Fort Bend County is that we can root out negativity and find a way to work together to make our community safer than ever.”