Almost half of San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors candidate Steve DeBrum’s signs have been stolen or damaged — including one in Manteca that was partially burned.

DeBrum, a former Manteca mayor, is running against current Lathrop Mayor Sonny Dhaliwal and Stockton business owner Angel Sepulveda for the third district seat in the March 5 election.

The district includes Manteca, Lathrop, part of northwest Stockton, and the rural Delta area.

“While I’m conveying the message of (what to do about) crime, homelessness, and jobs to my constituents in the district someone wants to play games,’ DeBrum said.

“Arson is a very serious situation and when it’s done next to someone’s home it is even more appalling.”

The sign lit on fire was at Woodward Avenue and Union Road.

Nineteen of his signs that were stolen had been placed in Stockton.

Another 11 were stolen in the Manteca area.

None of DeBrum’s signs in Lathrop have been stolen.

DeBrum notes he had secured permission from all property owners where the signs were placed.

The incidents all occurred within the past 10 days.

DeBrum said all of the signs were checked after the severe winds and were still in place at that time.

“I’m playing fair,” DeBrum said.

The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department is actively investigating the incidents.

The sign incident is reminiscence of a county supervisor race back in the 1990s involving an incumbent, Ed Seamas, who was partially representing Manteca at the time.

A challenger’s signs were being torn down and destroyed.

Security footage obtained during a law enforcement investigation showed Seamas in the act of destroying a sign in Stockton.

Seamas, who was considered to have an easy race for re-election, ending up losing by a wide margin after footage of the sign destruction was circulated.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com