Signs stolen from Angel Ride charity

New London (WTNH) - Connecticut State Police are trying to find out who stole 92 street signs for a popular charity bike ride.

The signs marked the way for cyclists taking part in the two day " Angel Ride " Memorial Day weekend.

"It's very frustrating," said Fred Brooke of Angel Ride.

It's especially frustrating because volunteers had placed 46 signs along Route 201 in Griswold and North Stonington only to have them removed the day before riders came through the area.

Volunteers had to work quickly to replace the stolen signs. They actually used signs from the first leg of the ride which was complete and they put them along the new route. The only problem is hours before riders came through, they were also stolen.

A total of 92 signs in Eastern Connecticut, and nine others in Tolland, were taken. The signs are placed every half mile along the 135 mile route from Norfolk to Mystic to guide hundreds of cyclists riding to raise money for Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall gang camp.

"To have a crew up through the night putting signs out just because somebody was playing a malicious prank, or doesn't like bicyclists, is a shame especially when it's all to benefit children," Brooke said.

And now those children will get less because the signs have to be replaced.

"That's just $7,000 the kids won't get," Brooke said.

Brooke said he counts on community support to make the ride a success and this type of involvement puts next year's ride on the line.

"If we aren't able to somehow find a way and find the person who's responsible, we're just very leary about doing it again next year," he said.

Ride organizers are offering two, $1,000 rewards.

The first is for information leading to the arrest of those responsible and the second for the return of the signs in good condition.

State police are now investigating.

Anyone with information is asked to call Lynn McCarthy, organizer of the Angel Ride, at (860) 227-0658.