PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Someone stole some of Portsmouth Sheriff Michael Moore’s campaign signs, and he wants to know who did it.

A surveillance video shows someone coming along and steals Moore’s campaign signs around 3:12 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Moore, running for sheriff against Jim Cullen, said he wants to get to the bottom of it.

“It was a young lady caught on video actually taking up each sign individually,” Moore said as he played back the surveillance video for 10 On Your Side. “We are looking at her right here. … We have some possible tentative identification of the young lady.” 

Of all the candidates to steal from, she stole from a candidate that is an officer of the law and is a trained investigator.  

“You know, prior to me becoming sheriff, I was an investigator for the government for almost 32 years,” Moore said.

10 On Your Side asked if Moore thought someone was paid to steal his campaign signs.  

“Deep down, my feeling wise? I feel like she was paid,” Moore said. “I just can’t narrow that down to say who it is for sure. Who would approach her to pay her to do it?” 

Moore said some of his signs in other parts of the city have been stolen too.  

“If she was here listening to me, I would say, even though it’s a paper cardboard sign, and things of no value whatsoever, it is still breaking the law to take it because it’s stealing,” Moore said. “It is also against the law to trespass on that property to take that sign. Again, what I would say if you take money to destroy the signs, that is a conspiracy to commit larceny.” 

There is a reward for someone who can help catch whoever stole his campaign signs.

“Up to $1,000 right now,” Moore said, “that money coming from concerned citizens in the city of Portsmouth.” 

If you know who the person in the surveillance video is, Moore would like to hear from you at the Portsmouth Sheriff’s Office at 757-393-5461.