Police: 2 Charged With Stealing Baltimore Basilica Signs

Police say two men have been arrested in connection with the theft of brass signs from the Baltimore Basilica.

Baltimore Police said in a statement they were called downtown early Tuesday morning on a report of a suspicious person.

A citywide camera operator directed them to a man who appeared to be loading paintings into his car and a second man who had been walking back and forth to that car.

After detaining the men, police say the officers found four large signs inside the vehicle that said, "The Baltimore Basilica - America's First Cathedral." The officers also recovered a crowbar.

Fifty-three-year-old Anthony Pope and 41-year-old Sean Smith, both of Baltimore, were arrested and charged with felony theft and destruction of property.

It wasn't immediately clear if they had attorneys who could comment. Police say they were expected to appear before a court commissioner Tuesday.