MONTPELIER, Vt. -
The license plates aimed at creating unity and raising money for Irene victims are such a hot commodity one man says his was stolen right off his car. Sean Ward, of Montpelier man is sending a message warning others of the ‘Vermont Strong' thief.
Ward lost his home and two cars last August when Irene hit, "Having gone through Irene, I felt I was very much Vermont Strong."
Which is why he ordered the flashy Vermont strong license plate aimed at helping Vermonters get back on their feet by donating the proceeds to the relief fund.
But last week, he was stunned when he saw, "Not only were the screws gone but both plates."
Someone had stolen his Vermont Strong plate and valid license plate underneath.
"It was parked in a spot about 500 yards away from the police station, in broad daylight," said Ward.
And now instead of having a sense of unity when seeing the plate on other cars, "My first thought is, is that my plate? Is that my plate?" said Ward.
But he refuses to let the thief ruin that feeling of camaraderie and has already ordered a second plate, with an added twist. This time around Ward installed bolts rather than screws to try and make the process more difficult for a thief.
"Maybe it will be a little bit harder to take off," said Ward.
Other folks like Richard Angany in Montpelier understand Wards frustration, "Hope that's just a rare incident that won't happen again."
But if it does, Ward has a message waiting for them, "On the back side of this, I also wrote, Thief! Buy your own plate."
Montpelier police say stealing a license plate is considered petit larceny with fines facing up to a thousand dollars and up to a year in jail.
