From Pensacola Police Department: Two Pensacola women were arrested this morning after an investigation determined they removed campaign signs from a yard.
Ann Regan, 66, of 424 E. Government St., was charged with petit theft and Wendy Labarge, 56, of 227 E. Intendencia St., was charged with petit theft and criminal mischief.
On Saturday (Sept. 27) Doris Barberi of 201 S. Alcaniz St. gave permission for City Councilman Brian Spencer, who is seeking re-election in District 6, to place a political sign in her yard. Barberi left her home and when she returned, the sign was gone.
On Sunday, Barberi contacted Spencer and asked him to bring her another sign. He responded with three signs – two of which were placed outside her fence and one that was placed about 20 feet inside her fenced area. Again, Barberi left home and when she returned, the signs were missing.
Sunday afternoon, Labarge contacted Mark Thornton, the owner of the Happy Pig restaurant, 200 S. Alcaniz St., and asked why there was a political banner for Spencer on the front of the business. After causing a disturbance in the restaurant, Labarge left.
A short time later Thornton and two restaurant employees saw Labarge remove Spencer’s signs from Barberi’s yard and outside her fence and hand them to Regan. The signs were dismantled and bent before Labarge and Regan left the area.
Regan and Labarge both turned themselves in to the Escambia County Jail on the outstanding warrants before noon today.
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The daily newspaper has identified Regan as a supporter of Mark Taylor, the CMPA board member running against Spencer. According to Taylor’s campaign finance report, Regan has contributed $1300 to his campaign. She is Taylor’s largest contributor, providing 35 percent on his total contributions.