Two Men Arrested Trying to Steal Massive Highway Sign

This blog post dives into a bizarre and risky event on Interstate 91 in Windsor, Connecticut. Two Vernon men landed in handcuffs after, according to police, they tried to steal a giant roadside sign during the Wednesday morning rush.

Police say their odd theft created a real hazard for drivers on the busy highway. The case has grabbed attention all over Connecticut, from Hartford to New Haven, with folks scratching their heads at the strange crime and the danger it posed.

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Interstate 91 Incident in Windsor

Connecticut State Police say 42-year-old Andrew Scott Lampkin and 46-year-old Jonathan Riopelle, both from Vernon, showed up trying to haul off a massive highway sign. This happened around 8:30 a.m. on the northbound side of I-91 in Windsor, right where commuters pack the roads from Springfield through Hartford County, heading toward Middletown and New Haven.

Troopers got tipped off by reports of suspicious activity and quickly tracked down a white pickup truck with the sign strapped to its bed. The way the truck was parked, plus the sheer size of the sign, could’ve easily caused a crash or blocked traffic.

Arrest Made Without Incident

Troopers arrived and took Lampkin and Riopelle into custody without any trouble. Police stressed that what the men did wasn’t just illegal—it was reckless. Stopping and working on a busy highway without permission breaks several state traffic laws.

These violations go beyond just theft, especially considering the safety risks. Upon arrest, both suspects faced charges of:

Larceny
Reckless use of a highway by a pedestrian
Improper parking on a highway

Public Safety Concerns Across Connecticut

Police pointed out that incidents like this raise bigger safety questions. High-speed roads like Interstate 91, Interstate 84 near Waterbury, and Route 15 through Meriden are no place for unauthorized work.

Moving or leaving a big sign unsecured could easily spark a serious accident, especially during rush hour. In Windsor, the northbound lanes are packed with freight and commuters. Officials say this kind of stunt is exactly why roadside safety rules matter.

Honestly, if something like this happened in Enfield or Manchester, it could end badly for drivers who never saw it coming.

Legal Proceedings Set for November

Lampkin and Riopelle were processed and released on $500 bond each. They’re due in court on November 21 to answer to the charges.

The court will handle the case in the jurisdiction that covers highway crimes like this, and the outcome could mean fines or even jail time, depending on how the larceny charge plays out.

State police haven’t said why the men went after the sign in the first place. The photo released shows a huge, awkward highway marker strapped on the truck, barely fitting. People from Windsor to New London are left wondering what could’ve possibly motivated such a weird theft.

Community Reaction and Roadway Awareness

This story’s been making the rounds and serves as a real reminder for Connecticut drivers. Most folks are used to seeing highway crews out there with permits and proper safety gear. When people who don’t belong show up, the risk goes way up for everybody.

Drivers in cities like Hartford and out in rural spots like Tolland are being told to report anything strange they see by the road. Keeping an eye out can help stop this kind of thing before public property gets messed with and lives end up in danger.

Ongoing Commitment to Road Safety

Connecticut’s transportation network links dozens of places. You’ve got bustling hubs like Stamford, and then quieter shoreline towns like Old Saybrook.

Keeping that network safe means police and officials have to constantly enforce traffic and safety laws. It’s not the kind of job that ever really ends.

The Lampkin and Riopelle case heads to court in November. It’s honestly a strange reminder—sometimes a small act of theft can spiral into a real safety problem.

The Windsor arrest highlights how police across the state—from Bridgeport all the way to Mystic—stay alert. They’re out there, working to keep Connecticut’s highways safe for everyone.

Here is the source article for this story: 2 men caught trying to steal large sign from highway, police say

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