PRINCETON , N.J., July 16 (UPI) -- A Princeton University professor is going to the school of hard knocks after he was allegedly caught on camera stealing lawn signs for a local computer repair business.

According to Ted Horodynsky, the owner of Princeton Computer Repairs, Tutoring and Digital Services, Princeton professor John Mulvey started taking the signs after the two were involved in a traffic accident.


Mulvey allegedly took 21 of the 2-square-foot signs. Horodynsky turned videos of the alleged sign-snatches over to police and Mulvey has been charged with theft.

"I think there was a mistake in the charges," Mulvey told the Times of Trenton. "I drive back and forth in that area and frequently stop to pick up debris in the roadway."

The lawn advertisements are valued at more than $20 each and all 21 were found in Mulvey's garage.

"Some people don't like the signs and they throw them in the woods," Mulvey said. "I make it my job to pick them up and keep them, so that's what happened."

The 67-year-old, a professor of operations research and financial engineering, plans to fight the charges in court.