Is stealing street signs a felony?

Penalties for stealing a street sign vary by each state; the criminal act is often classified as a dangerous felony. Stolen street signs are not only considered a petty prank, but also cause serious confusion for drivers and pedestrians on the road.

Stealing a street sign can be punishable by jail time, a fine or both. In 2012, a teen from Somers, New York was charged with third-degree criminal possession of $3,000 worth of street signs. If an accident occurs as a result of a stolen street sign the consequences are much worse and can lead to charges of manslaughter. Stolen traffic signs are treated similar to other stolen goods during criminal prosecutions.