Clovis police arrested a candidate for the City’s Council on Thursday morning amid allegations that he stole countless road signs belonging to his opponents.
Herman Nagra, one of five candidates for two at-large seats on the Clovis City Council, was arrested by Clovis Police Department detectives following two days of investigating over claims of stolen road signs.
Clovis City Council member Vong Mouanoutoua, one of the two incumbent council members up for re-election in the March contest, reported his signs being stolen.
Clovis Police reported that a total of 42 signs were stolen from multiple placements across the city, with a total lost value of $1,200.
Following a review of city-owned security cameras, Clovis Police were able to identify the license plate of a pick-up truck belonging to a relative of Nagra. The videos featured two suspects taking down and stealing signs, one of which police believe was Nagra.
Thursday morning, detectives searched Nagra’s home, finding signs for Mouanoutoua and fellow Clovis Council candidate Diane Pearce.
After the discovery, Nagra admitted to stealing the signs.
He was arrested on suspicion of felony grand theft and taken to Clovis Police Department headquarters for additional processing and subsequently booked into Fresno County Jail.
Clovis Police are continuing their investigation to find the second suspect seen in security videos.
Reached for comment, Mouanoutoua didn’t shy away from his disappointment over the situation.
“I am disappointed that a candidate running for office would behave this way,” the first-term councilman said. “Clovis is much better than this. We must be better than this.”
“Together, we will keep Clovis a safe and premier place to live.”
Pearce, in a statement to The Sun, expressed disgust for the tactics undertaken by Nagra.
“What an embarrassing and disappointing story,” Pearce said.
“Let this be a lesson to all future candidates that they should focus on their own campaign and forget about dirty tricks. I appreciate the quick work of the Clovis Police Department in getting to the bottom of the stolen signs.”
This story will be updated.
