Ava Man arrested for stealing opponents Political Sign

On May 28, 2025, State Police arrested Joseph A. Mooney, age 54, from Ava, NY, for petit larceny.  

The arrest stems from a complaint made to State Police on May 23, 2025.  The complainant stated that he is running for town of Lee Supervisor and that one of his political signs was stolen from the lawn of a friend's property on Turin Road in the town of Lee.  

Troopers responded and located the political sign discarded in a dumpster behind a business next to where the sign was allegedly stolen from.  The business is owned by the complainant's political opponent Joseph Mooney.  

Troopers returned the sign to the property owner and the sign was placed back on the lawn.  The property owner then put out a trail camera to monitor the sign.  

On May 28, 2025, State Police received an additional call from the property owner stating that the political sign was stolen again and that the suspect is seen on the trail camera.  Troopers responded and interviewed the property owner.  The property owner showed Troopers footage of Mooney taking the sign from the property.  

Subsequent to the investigation, Mooney was arrested and charged with one count of Petit Larceny.  Mooney was processed and released with an appearance ticket returnable to the town of Lee Court at a later date.