A Clarkstown Democratic political figure was arrested and charged with two misdemeanors after removing a political lawn sign criticizing Clarkstown Highway Superintendent Bob Milone from private property in New City, according to a Clarkstown Police Department report obtained by Monsey Scoop.

Jeremy A. Patuto, 50, of Upper Nyack, was arrested on Monday, October 12, following an incident at Clarkstown Plaza, located at 170 South Main Street.

According to the police report, officers responded at approximately 5:42 p.m. after a witness reported seeing Patuto exit his vehicle, remove a political lawn sign from the property, place it inside his vehicle, and attempt to leave.

The sign displayed the message “VOTE NO TO MISMANAGEMENT MILONE,” referring to Clarkstown Highway Superintendent Bob Milone, who is seeking reelection.

The witness confronted Patuto and asked him to return the sign. According to the report, Patuto responded, “I didn’t steal it. It didn’t have any ‘paid for by’, so its public.” The interaction was recorded on the witness’s cellphone.

Police subsequently identified Patuto using his vehicle registration and a LinkedIn profile located by another individual at the scene.

When an officer contacted Patuto by telephone, he reportedly responded before being questioned, “Is this about the sign that I took?”

Patuto told police that someone had informed him that political signs located within 10 feet of a roadway could legally be removed. However, he was unable to identify who had provided that information.

The sign’s owner, who had also witnessed the incident, told police he wanted to pursue criminal charges, stating that Patuto had no permission or authority to remove the sign.

At approximately 8:10 p.m., Patuto arrived at Clarkstown Police Headquarters carrying the sign.

He was charged with Petit Larceny under New York State Penal Law 155.25 and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fifth Degree under Penal Law 165.40, both Class A misdemeanors.

Patuto was fingerprinted and released on an appearance ticket. He is scheduled to appear in Clarkstown Justice Court on Wednesday, October 28, at 1:30 p.m.

This is not the first incident involving political signs being removed or stolen during the current election season. Similar incidents have raised concerns about campaign sign tampering as political tensions continue to rise ahead of Election Day.

The incident comes amid heightened political tensions in Clarkstown ahead of the November 3 general election, in which Milone is seeking another term as highway superintendent.

The charges remain pending, and Patuto has not been convicted of any crime.