Signs Stolen at Falls Church Bike Trail

FALLS CHURCH, Va. - The W&OD Trail in Falls Church is popular area where cars, bicyclist and pedestrians meet on a daily basis. To make sure everybody safely shares the road, the city of Falls Church put up new yield to pedestrian signs at seven intersections at the trail crossings.

"I think it's a great idea,” said one cyclist. “I know the city of Falls Church is looking for pedestrian and biking improvements.”

"The purpose of these signs is to heighten pedestrian and cyclist safety because the W&OD cuts right through the city of Falls Church," said Deputy Chief Mary Gavin.

The city leaders installed the signs on the evening of August 5. To their surprise, the very next day, six of the seven had been stolen.

“Honestly, I can't believe it. As someone who uses the trail every day, I loved having them here because these intersections cause a lot of problems," said another cyclist.

After six of the signs were stolen from the intersections, city officials decided to move the 7th and final sign to another location downtown. But in a matter of hours, that sign was stolen too. Police don't have any idea who did it or why.

"Did they just steal them just to steal them? That seems sort of stupid but isn't most theft stupid?" said one area resident.

The signs are valued at $2,600. The city does plan to replace some of the signs. They are still trying to decide on what kind of signs and exactly where they should put them.

This crime is a felony offense and police say the person responsible for stealing the signs could face up to 20 years in prison.