County council candidate Rick McKinney suspected someone of stealing his campaign signs - and a cell phone may have pointed him to a suspect.

When it comes to putting up campaign signs, Rick McKinney isn't messing around - especially with the large banners, which measure several feet high and several feet across.

"I'm very particular how I want them placed and, you know, situated, and I know the property lines," said McKinney, a 20-year member of the Hamilton County Council and current candidate.

So Friday morning when he drove past 116th and Olio, he knew something was missing.

"Just did a double take, because the sign's gone. And it's hard to miss it," he said.

Driving through two more intersections it was the same story. Three of the large banners, each costing about $200 dollars, were gone.

"Went through the customary channels, made some phone calls, see if the highway mowing crew took it, see if CVS took it. All, 'No, Rick, we didn't touch your sign'," said McKinney.

But at 116th and Cumberland, he found a clue. A cell phone in the grass.

"I picked it up and saw some identifying things that led me to believe it was Jeff Hern's," said McKinney.

As in Fall Creek Township Trustee Jeff Hern who is running against McKinney in the primary election.

"It was definitely premeditated. I don't think it was something that happened casually," said McKinney.

McKinney thinks the cell phone is proof that Hern helped steal the signs. A police report confirms sheriff's deputies think so, too - Hern is listed as the only suspect in the thefts.

Eyewitness News tried to reach Hern at his office and via e-mail, but we were told he is out of town on business and has no comment about the allegations.

"You would think that it would be not the most intelligent move for a candidate to attack another candidate's signs personally, but again, I see it as a sign of desperation," said McKinney.