Temecula Man Jailed on Suspicion of Vandalizing Campaign Signs

A Temecula man was jailed Tuesday on suspicion of vandalizing several campaign signs, which is chargeable as a misdemeanor, police said.

A witness told police they saw the man, later identified as Leland Barrett Mark, 67, pulling down and damaging multiple signs Tuesday morning at Jedediah Smith Road and Temecula Parkway, Temecula police Sgt. Jon Wade said in a news release.

The witness—whom Patch learned was Ernie White, husband of Temecula city council candidate Jamie White—took photos of Mark that were turned over to police.

The witness then followed Mark as he ran off, Wade said, and confronted him.

A verbal altercation ensued, according to the sergeant.

The incident was reported to police, who later found Mark in the 41000 block of Moreno Road, Wade said.

Mark was identified by the witness and placed under arrest on suspicion of vandalizing political signage and challenging another to fight in public—both misdemeanors.

Mark was booked at Southwest Detention Center, according to jail records, but has since been released after posting $2,500 bail.

"The Temecula Police Department would like to remind all citizens that the taking or damaging of political signs is a violation of the law," Wade said. "Anyone apprehended after the unlawful taking or damaging of political signage is subject to arrest and prosecution."

Anyone with information regarding the incident was encouraged to contact the Temecula Police Department at 951-696-3000.