A candidate in Tuesday's Bayonne School Board election is being booked and printed by police this afternoon after allegedly tearing down 17 campaign signs posted in support of another board candidate today. Real-estate agent John Cupo, 55, of West 14th Street, was arrested at about 1:10 p.m. at the corner of 22nd Street and Avenue E after allegedly ripping down signs supporting Board of Education candidate Christopher Piechocki which were posted on a fence at the corner, Bayonne Police Lt. Franco Amato said at about 3:40 p.m. today. Cupo is charged with theft of the 17 signs which have a total value of just over $151. He was charged with the disorderly persons offense on a summons, taken to the police station to be processed, and he will likely appear on the charge in two weeks in Bayonne Municipal Court. A passing officer saw Cupo taking down one of Piechocki's campaign signs at the corner and pulled over to see what was going on. Cupo told the officer that he did not believe Piechocki had permission from the property owner to post the signs. He also told the officer he had taken down 16 more at the location and they were in his trunk, Amato said. The lieutenant said Piechocki was contacted and Cupo was arrested when it was determined that the other candidate did have permission to post his campaign signes at the location, Amato said. The candidates are among 19 vying for three, three-year board of education seat in the election. Piechocki is a real estate agent and former special needs teacher. He is an incumbent candidate and endorsed by Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis.
BAYONNE - A candidate in the upcoming school board election on Tuesday was booked and fingerprinted by police this afternoon after allegedly tearing down 17 campaign signs posted in support of another board candidate today.
Real-estate agent John Cupo, 55, of West 14th Street, was arrested at about 1:10 p.m. at the corner of 22nd Street and Avenue E after allegedly ripping down signs supporting Board of Education candidate Christopher Piechocki posted on a fence at the corner, Bayonne Police Lt. Franco Amato said at about 3:40 p.m. today.
Cupo is charged with theft of the 17 signs that have a total value of just over $151. He was charged with the disorderly persons offense on a summons and was taken to the police station to be processed, Amato said, adding Cupo will likely appear on the charge in two weeks in Bayonne Municipal Court.
Cupo said this evening he was just trying to help out his opponent.
Cupo said it was his belief that the number of Piechocki signs posted at the corner exceeded the number allowed by the city and he did not want to see Piechocki get in trouble. He also said he did not think it was an accident that a police officer happened by at that moment. He believes someone called the cops on him.
An officer on patrol spotted Cupo taking down one of Piechocki's campaign signs at the corner and pulled over to see what was going on, Amato said.
Cupo told the officer he did not believe Piechocki had permission from the property owner to post the signs there. He also told the officer he had taken down 16 more at the location and they were in his trunk, Amato said.
The lieutenant said Piechocki was contacted and Cupo was arrested when it was determined that the other candidate did have permission to post his campaign signs at the location, Amato said.
Cupo acknowledges he claimed Piechocki did not have permission to post the signs. But he maintains he was also looking out for his opponent and intended to return the signs to Piechocki.
"I know Mr. Piechocki and I didn't want to see him into getting into trouble for having too many signs," Cupo said.
Cupo said he will go to city hall in the morning to verify the ordinance. He said "I cooperated fully. I don't feel I did anything wrong. I feel I did a public service more than anything else."
The two candidates are among 19 vying for five seats in the election.
Piechocki is a real estate agent and former special needs teacher. He is an incumbent candidate and is endorsed by Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis.