Appomattox Sheriff's Office investigating theft of street address signs and poles in county
The Appomattox County Sheriff's Office is investigating the recent theft of multiple street address signs and poles in Appomattox County.
Appomattox County Public Safety Manager John Vannoy has reported that at least 40 street address signs and five sign poles are known to be missing in the county.
Vannoy told the Times Virginian that the known thefts to-date have occurred in the northern part of the county, north of U.S. Route 460, and that he has not yet searched the southern part of the county.
Vannoy said he was alerted of missing signs by a local resident. He also received an anonymous tip regarding a pickup truck that appeared to be carrying signs but was not given a description of the vehicle.
Street address signs are important for residents and travelers, as well as emergency personnel who need to find addresses in potentially life-saving situations. Stealing these signs presents a clear danger to the public.
According to Vannoy, the crimes of theft would be classified as felonies because the total collective cost thus far exceeds $1,000.
According to Virginia law, punishment for stealing, removing or intentionally damaging a street address sign is a misdemeanor that carries possible fines and jail time.
Vannoy added that perhaps a few signs had been missing for unknown reasons prior to the thefts but he cannot be sure if that is the case.
The following streets/intersections have been affected so far:
  • North Fork Road & Hollywood Road (pole still there)
  • Forbes Road & Hollywood Road (sign and pole stolen)
  • Forbes Road & Webb Mill Road (sign and pole stolen)
  • Holiday Lake Road & Forbes Road (pole still there)
  • Looner Den Road & Hollywood Road (pole still there)
  • Looner Den Road & Old Gristmill Road (sign and pole stolen)
  • Old Grist Mill Road & Trents Mill Road (sign and pole stolen)
  • Vera Lane & Old Courthouse Road (pole still there)
  • Vera Lane & Wildway Road (pole still there)
  • Oakleigh Avenue, River Ridge Road & Trents Mill Road (pole still there)
  • Stonewall Road & Falling Creek Road (pole still there)
  • Stonewall Road & Mill Pond Road (pole is still there)
  • Mill Pond Road & Bell View Lane (pole damaged, needs replacement)
  • Bell View Lane, Tin Top Road & Trinity Road (pole still there)
  • Tiny Road, missing at both ends (both poles still there)
  • Dreaming Creek Road & Stoneridge Road (pole still there)
  • Tin Top Place, Dreaming Creek Road & Beckham Road (pole still there, signs need directional arrows)
  • Dreaming Creek Road & River Bottom Lane (pole still there)
  • Stonewall Road sign at Meadow Drive needs replacement, damaged by attempted theft
Total amount of damage so far is $3,002.25, not including labor or shipping for the following:
  • 40 signs at $55 = $2,200
  • 5 poles at $35 = $175
  • 5 bags of Quikrete for each pole at $5.45 = $27.25
  • 40 sign brackets at $15 = $600
Anyone with information about the missing street address signs and poles, or who notices missing signs and poles not listed above, is asked to call the Appomattox County Sheriff's Office non-emergency number at 434-352-8241.

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