Man accused of vandalizing political campaign signs in Cape Coral

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK)—A Cape Coral man was arrested after police say he damaged and stole multiple campaign signs for mayoral candidate John Gunter.

Russell James Ringland, 58, was charged with criminal mischief on July 8 following an investigation by the Cape Coral Police Department. Officers began investigating after receiving a report on July 2 at approximately 10 a.m. from a business in the 1900 block of Del Prado Boulevard South.

The complainant reported that multiple campaign signs for Gunter had been intentionally damaged sometime between the evening of July 1 and the early morning hours of July 2. The suspect cut the signs from their mounting frames, removing one sign from the business and two additional signs from a nearby location at Del Prado Boulevard South and Viscaya Parkway.

The investigation was assigned to the department's Property Crimes Unit. Detectives later learned that additional campaign signs for Gunter had also been damaged and stolen from two other Cape Coral locations.

Surveillance video obtained from a business near one of the crime scenes showed a white pickup truck pull up by one of the campaign signs. The driver exited the vehicle, walked to the sign and removed it from its mounting.

Through investigative efforts, detectives identified the suspect vehicle and determined it was registered to Ringland. On July 6, detectives responded to Ringland's registered address, where they located the white pickup truck parked in the driveway.

While at the residence, detectives observed what appeared to be crumpled political campaign signs in plain view inside the vehicle. Based on the evidence gathered during the investigation, detectives established probable cause to arrest Ringland.

Ringland was charged with criminal mischief for damage greater than $200 but less than $1,000. Two and a half signs were recovered, and the investigation is ongoing.