UPDATE (Oct. 8 at 12:30 p.m.) The investigation has been transferred to the Platte County Sheriff’s Investigation Unit for investigative purposes, according to Platte City Police Chief Jeff Wilson.
Dale Brouk, an independent candidate for Platte County presiding commissioner, apologized for removing campaign material from a home’s front door in Platte City after a doorbell camera recorded the incident Oct. 3.
A theft report was filed Oct. 4 with the Platte City Police Department, according to Sgt. Mike Mand.
“We did receive a call to file a report and it’s currently being investigated,” Mand told The Landmark on Monday. “The reporting officer opened it as a ‘stealing offense,’ but this could change.”
Mand declined to identify the person being investigated, describing him only as a white male. Mand said there was no timetable for completing the investigation and no charges had been filed.
The Landmark requested the police report, but police said it would not be released while the investigation remained open.
The video has been posted on YouTube and several campaign Facebook pages.
“I apologize for my actions for removing a door hanger,” Brouk said in a statement posted on his campaign Facebook page. “I would appreciate your continued support.”
When asked by The Landmark on Tuesday afternoon whether he had been questioned by local authorities over the incident, Brouk said he “had not heard from anyone yet.”
The video shows Brouk approaching the door wearing his campaign T-shirt and carrying a red basket of campaign material. He removes a clear bag of Republican campaign literature from the door, places it in his basket and walks away.
The bag contained material for Jim Bosch, the Republican candidate for Platte County collector; Krysten Jury, the Republican candidate for county treasurer; and Jason Maki, Brouk’s Republican opponent for presiding commissioner.
“The volunteers put that material on doors on their own time, and my campaign paid for it,” Bosch said. “Nobody has the right to walk up behind them and take it. Voters get to decide for themselves what they read.”
Jury said the material belonged to the household where it had been left.
“That bag was left for the family who lives there. It was not Mr. Brouk’s to take,” Jury said. “I’m glad the homeowner’s camera caught it and that a report has been filed.”
Maki also criticized Brouk’s actions.
“The video shows what it shows,” Maki said. “A voter’s front door is not his to steal from. It is unethical. It is theft, and theft is a crime. Platte County does not need elected officials who are thieves.”
