A 48-year-old Westbury man was arrested earlier this month for allegedly stealing political signs off the lawns of two Broadmoore Lane homes in Westbury. The subject, who is registered with the Nassau County Board of Elections as a Republican, is alleged to have stolen some 14 signs off the lawns of Democratic Assembly candidate Thomas Sobczak and his neighbor. The signs, which were taken over a two-week period, promoted Democratic candidates Carl McCall, Carolyn McCarthy and N. Scott Banks.

According to 3rd Precinct officials, police set up video surveillance on Oct. 4 and made the arrest on Oct. 9 at 2 a.m. The subject is charged with two counts of petit larceny, a misdemeanor. He was to be arraigned at 1st District Court in Hempstead on Oct. 22.

Sobczak, who announced his candidacy for the 17 A.D earlier this month, said, "It was going on every day, except for one Saturday night, for two weeks. A couple of nights before he was caught we put spotlights on, shining right on the signs, but he continued to do it anyway. The detectives staked it out and caught him." Sobczak added that sign stealing has been going on in the community for the past two years. "Last year, someone was stealing signs," he said. "The pattern was different and they would steal them and then cut them up and leave them on our hedges the next day." No prior arrests were made.

Sobczak said that sign stealing is a fringe on his First Amendment rights of freedom of speech and, although it may have very well been a crime of convenience, he has every intention of prosecuting. He said pressing charges will bring forth a message to others considering committing similar acts.

"I feel bad for his wife, for his kids, but not for him," Sobczak said. "People can't go around thinking they can intimidate others. If I back down now, others who do this, not just in Carle Place but the county, state and country, will feel that they can intimidate us enough to back down. These kinds of fascist tactics have no place here."

He added, "This is a highly Republican area, but competition in government and politics is a good thing. Often [Republicans and Democrats] are on the opposite side of the fence, but still we are congenial. To have someone try and shortchange one's ability to decide who they want to vote for is wrong. If you disagree with me, knock on my door and tell me, but don't deny me or anybody else of their rights."