Police have identified a suspect reported to have loaded an armful of Chris Scott election signs into an SUV on Capp Avenue, but no charges will be laid.
"The person was identified and provided police with a full inculpatory statement," said Ross Romano, campaign manager for the Progressive Conservative candidate.
"The Chris Scott campaign spoke to the individual and decided not to press charges," said Romano, pausing briefly to speak to SooToday on Thursday as he and volunteers carpet-bombed key neighbourhoods in the same kind of bust-a-gut last-hour door-knocking surge he was himself known for during his own close electoral races.
Sixteen days ago, Romano gave a video statement to city police after a party supporter witnessed someone carrying signs on Capp Avenue near Trunk Road and snapped a photo of his licence plate.
"He appeared to be putting about five or six PC Chris Scott signs under his arm and was running into his car, a Hyundai Santa Fe," Romano told SooToday as he arrived at police headquarters to file his statement.
"She followed him and took a picture of his licence plate. The licence plate is very clear in the photo."
Romano said the woman witnessed the man doing the same thing at another location.
Local Conservatives said at least 350 of their provincial election signs had gone missing around that time.
"I'm shocked. I've never seen this happen before," said Romano, a lawyer and former Sault MPP.
"Even when we've had damage to a sign, we've never, ever been in a position where somebody actually has evidence like this."
Scott is one of six candidates in the Sault MPP race.
He was chosen by PC Leader Doug Ford without a local vote. Scott was announced as the PC candidate on Jan. 28.
Two days later, members of the NDP’s local riding association chose Lisa Vezeau-Allen to be their candidate.
Gurwinder Dusanjh is the candidate for the Liberals.
Jaycob Jacques is running for the Green Party.
Arnold Heino is running for the New Blue party.
The Ontario Party candidate is Paul Frolich.
You can vote tonight until 9 p.m.
Local voting locations can be found at elections.on.ca and on voter information cards Elections Ontario mailed earlier this month.
If you don't have a voter information card, you must bring one piece of identification showing both your name and home address to register and get a ballot.
SooToday will have full election coverage later tonight.