Swansea police capture traffic sign thief

Authorities in a local town have discovered where several traffic signs went and with it, have made an arrest.

According to SPD, in early February, the Swansea Police Department took a report of several “speed limit” traffic signs being repeatedly stolen from the Main Street area. The signs had been deployed in the Main Street area as part of a speed reduction plan after a lengthy study was done concerning the Main Street traffic issues by a traffic engineering firm. Police stated that the Town implemented several recommendations, including “speed tables” and additional signage, which did assist in reducing the monitored speed in the area. These measures were all implemented to keep the Main Street residents, pedestrians and the motoring public safe. The signs had been stolen on several different occasions over the preceding months.

On April 13, officers were summoned to the area of 27 Bark Circle Swansea and spoke with Michael S. Aguiar, 22. Aguiar made several admissions and all the speed signs and hardware belonging to the Town of Swansea was recovered at that time.

On June 19, Aguiar was charged and arraigned on seven counts of Larceny Less than $1200 in 2nd District Court. The case was investigated by Patrolman Zachary Sousa, assisted by Detective Keith Chomka, Sgt. John Souza and Lt. Joseph Martin.