The Statesville Police Department has identified the individual responsible for placing a doll near an election sign earlier this month. The incident, which was initially investigated as a possible hate crime, has been determined to be a prank.
Police said investigators reviewed footage from area cameras and observed several vehicles traveling along Wilson Lee Boulevard at Fayetteville Avenue on the morning of September 15. From that information, officers located a witness who provided a description of the person seen tying the doll to the signpost.
Investigators later identified the individual at his residence near the site of the incident. The man, 23, admitted to placing the doll on the post, stating it was intended as a Halloween prank and was not connected to the campaign sign positioned below it.
On September 23, Councilwoman Doris Allison met with the man, who apologized for his actions. Police said no charges will be filed in the case, and the individual’s name will not be released since he was not charged.
