A man from rural Burlington has been charged with illegally removing a campaign sign for sheriff Terry Johnson from a local roadside last week.
While candidates during each election cycle often complain of mischief with their campaign signs (thefts, defacing, etc.) which have not generally resulted in any charges, this suspect was allegedly directly observed by a Graham policeman with the theft, resulting an actual stop and subsequent criminal charges.
Jamarius Shun Wall, 21, black male, of 142 Pillow Lane, Burlington, has been charged with illegally removing a campaign sign from the shoulder of the road along Kronsberg Court (off Jimmie Kerr Road) in Graham.
This would-be sign bandit was caught in the act while allegedly trying to steal a “Terry Johnson for Sheriff” campaign sign around 10:45 a.m. last Wednesday, November 2.
A Graham police officer, Brandon Land, was on duty at the Alamance Community School (a charter school located off Jimmie Kerr Road) when he spotted the driver of a black car as he pulled onto the school property, exited his vehicle, removed the campaign sign from the ground, and took it back to his car, according to the Graham police department.
Land subsequently stopped the vehicle and retrieved the sign, while identifying the suspect, Graham police spokesman Capt. Tony Velez elaborated Monday in a news release.
On Friday, Land obtained a criminal summons charging Wall with removal of a political sign, which state law classifies as a Class 3 misdemeanor, carrying a maximum punishment of up to 30 days in jail and a fine.
Wall is currently scheduled to appear for the charge in Alamance County district court on December 15, 2022, according to the summons.
