A Penn State student who Penn State University Police said stole the Paternoville sign in late February was charged with four felony offenses.
Charles Ciraolo, 22, of Fairport, N.Y., is charged with burglary, criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property in connection with the sign’s brief disappearance, according to court documents.
Police said Ciraolo stole the sign on Feb. 28, also knocking another informational sign down with his vehicle at about 4:15 a.m.
The informational signs are blue ovals with facts about the Penn State football culture. They were installed a couple of years ago, police said.
The vehicle caused an estimated damage of more than $20,000 to stadium gates, grass and two informational markers.
Police said they were able to capture surveillance footage of the incident and recovered the sign by March 7.
Ciraolo was arraigned under Centre County Magisterial District Judge Leslie Dutchcot and released on $15,000 unsecured bail.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on April 11 in Courtroom 1 of the Centre County Courthouse, according to court documents.
