Wisconsin man steals, then returns recall petition signatures

Wisconsin's recall movement, galvanized by the potentially illegal passage of Governor Scott Walker's "budget repair" bill by the legislature, disturbed a River Falls, Wisconsin man who allegedly swiped, then returned signed signature forms.

River Falls police were reportedly asked to track down and find a suspect who allegedly made off with a batch of Wisconsin Senator Sheila Harsdorf (R-10th District) recall petition signatures late Sunday afternoon from a sidewalk near EconoFoods. The male suspect swiped the forms with signatures and drove off with them after pretending he wanted to sign Harsdorf's recall petition. Five minutes later the male suspect drove back and tossed the signed signature forms - which landed on wet pavement -- toward the petitioners conducting the recall drive. The petitioners were able to provide police with descriptions of the suspect and his vehicle. The suspect, who resides near the River Falls Area Hospital, was indignant when an officer showed up at his door. First the suspect reportedly denied being near EconoFoods, then recanted and told the police officer that he couldn't be accused of stealing the signed petition forms because he returned them. When the officer informed the man he was under arrest, the suspect allegedly resisted being handcuffed and started yelling about police brutality. At the police station, after calming down, the man apologized for his conduct and claimed he found the sight of the Harsdorf recall petitioners very disturbing. He was released after receiving a $177 disorderly conduct fine.