NORWOOD PARK — A 53-year-old Norwood Park man was arrested in connection with the theft of several signs touting the candidacy of Chicago Firefighter Anthony Napolitano, who is running for 41st Ward alderman, police said.
Peter Diamantis was charged with misdemeanor theft and ordered to appear in court Feb. 11, said Chicago Police Officer Janel Sedevic, a spokeswoman for the department.
Diamantis, who did not return a phone message Wednesday, was arrested in connection with the theft of Napolitano campaign signs in the 7700 block of West Ardmore Avenue at 12:20 a.m. Sunday, Sedevic said.
Heather Cherone says there's no connection to the other candidates:
Some of the maroon-and-white signs were stolen from the yard of Angela McMillian, Napolitano's campaign manager.
"I gave him every opportunity to give them back," McMillian said. "He refused even after admitting he had taken them."
The theft was captured on a neighbor's home security system, McMillian said.
Napolitano said he did not think either of his opponents — Ald. Mary O'Connor or business owner Joe Lomanto — orchestrated the theft.
"Everyone is just so passionate about this race," Napolitano said. "It is Chicago."
Complaints about stolen campaign yard signs always spike as election time nears, but charges are rarely filed, police sources said.
"I don't think Ald. O'Connor or Mr. Lomanto said to anyone, 'Go steal signs,'" Napolitano said.
Napolitano and Lomanto are challenging O'Connor's bid for a second term representing O'Hare, Norwood Park, Edison Park and Edgebrook on the Chicago City Council.
Lomanto called the theft unfortunate and said the alleged thief was "a knucklehead" who had no involvement in his campaign.
Both Lomanto and O'Connor said their signs had been stolen as well.
"I find these tactics immature and classless," O'Connor said in a statement.
In races where no candidate earns 50 percent of the votes cast on Feb. 24, a runoff between the top two candidates will take place April 7.
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