Police in two Northern California cities are investigating vandalism cases involving Proposition 8, the anti-gay marriage measure on next Tuesday's ballot.
Officers in Roseville, a Sacramento suburb, arrested three teenagers early Tuesday on suspicion of stealing yard signs supporting the ballot measure. Meanwhile, officers in San Jose are investigating a graffiti incident.
Dee Dee Gunther, a spokeswoman for the Roseville Police Department, said officers arrested Brian Greene, 18, of Roseville, Kacey Flieder, 18, of Sacramento and a 17-year-old girl after finding 53 Yes-on-8 signs in their car.
Greene and Flieder were taken into custody on suspicion of possession of stolen property, conspiracy, petty theft and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The 17-year-old also faces possession of stolen property, conspiracy and petty theft charges.
Gunther said the three were arrested after an officer on routine patrol became suspicious when he saw a green car parked at the curb with its doors and trunk open. About the same time, a resident called police to report seeing someone take a Yes-on-8 sign out of a neighbor's yard.
In San Jose, police were called to a house in the southern part of town after homeowners reported their garage had been spray-painted with "No on 8" messages. Proposition 8 would take away the right of same-sex couples to wed.
The homeowners had signs supporting the measure on their lawn.
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San Jose Police Sgt. Mike Sullivan said the department has not tracked cases of political vandalism, but he said at least four incidents involving Proposition 8 have been reported.
The campaign to defeat the measure issued a statement saying it condemns vandalism and sign removal.
Proposition 8 is stirring up more than emotions. It's also stirring up loads of cash.
Campaign finance records show total contributions of more than $60 million, coming from more than 64,000 people in all 50 states and 20 foreign countries.
