Howard County [Maryland] police charged a Baltimore County couple Oct. 2 with malicious destruction of property for allegedly defacing political signs in Ellicott City belonging to the Howard County Republican Party. The arrests came one week after police charged an Ellicott City man with destruction of property for allegedly striking down a Republican sign Sept. 24. The arrests were the result of an investigation police conducted following reports of people destroying political signs in recent weeks, including a Sept. 25 incident in which an Ellicott City man discovered that someone had burned a sign in his yard supporting the re-election of President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. Police are investigating that incident.
In the most recent incident, police charged Randallstown residents Peter Lizon, 30, and Stephanie Louise Lizon, 34, each with malicious destruction of property. Police also charged Peter Lizon with possessing a concealed deadly weapon. According to charging documents, Peter Lizon allegedly used a bayonet to cut holes in the signs. Police arrested the couple Oct. 1 during a surveillance operation conducted near the intersection of Route 40 and Executive Center Drive in Ellicott City, charging documents state. Detectives observed Peter Lizon using a bayonet to cut holes in an unspecified number of "Bush/Cheney" signs beside a parking lot near the intersection, according to the charging documents. Stephanie Lizon appeared to act as a lookout as her husband cut the signs, according to the documents. Police later found a bayonet in the couple's vehicle, the documents state. Peter Lizon was released on $3,500 bond; Stephanie Lizon was released on $3,000 bond.
Police said they arrested the couple in an ongoing surveillance operation that began with the Sept. 24 arrest of 33-year-old Ellicott City resident Corey Cooke, who police allege used two unspecified tools to destroy a sign urging voters to re-elect Bush and Cheney. Police conducting surveillance saw Cooke cut down a 4-by-8-foot sign posted near the intersection of Route 40 and Executive Center Drive in Ellicott City, according to charging documents. Police said they found a hand saw, a sledge hammer and a utility tool in Cooke's car. Police decided to continue the surveillance operation following Cooke's arrest after receiving reports of more destruction of campaign sings, police spokesman Pfc. David Proulx said. Proulx said police have not yet determined whether the two incidents were linked. |