Conservative Election Signs Burned In Elgin County

OPP say election signs for the Conservative candidate in Elgin-Middlesex-London are being targeted by vandals.

Investigators say at least six of Karen Vecchio's signs were either set ablaze or damaged over the weekend.

They were located in the following spots:

• Graham and Thompson Line, just south of West Lorne
• Queens Line and Graham Line, just north of West Lorne
• Pioneer Line at the Dunborough intersection
• Currie Rd. and Lakeview
• Talbot Line, just east of the Chatham-Kent border
• Clachan entrance

While this spree is concerning, members of the campaign team say it is not the first time. They say it started about two weeks ago, when someone began cutting an 'X' shape in the signs.

"We're sure it's nobody involved in any of the campaigns, it's probably someone with an axe to grind with the federal government," says campaign team member Bob Purcell. "Karen knows both the other candidates well and they both run professional campaigns like we do. In fact, we're a little different out in the country and if we see a sign that's fallen down we will put it back up for them."

Investigators are probing the string of arsons and are reminding everyone that damaging, stealing or moving election signs is illegal. It can result in criminal charges of mischief or theft.

Anyone with information about who may be responsible for this is asked to contact police or CrimeStoppers.