Man Caught Trying to 'Forcefully' Remove Southampton Highway Department Sign: Police

A man was caught trying to "forcefully" remove a No Parking sign from an East Quogue street, Southampton Town police said.

According to Southampton Town Police, the incident took place on Tuesday at 9:50 a.m. on Walnut Avenue, when Paul Martin, 47, of Hampton Bays was caught in the act of trying to remove the sign, installed by the Southampton Town Highway Department.

When police approached Martin's vehicle, which was left running in roadway, a strong odor of marijuana was detected coming from inside, police said.

Four plastic bags of marijuana were recovered from vehicle, police said.

Martin was arrested and charged with petty larceny, a misdemeanor, third degree criminal tampering, a misdemeanor, and unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation, police said.

He was processed and transported to Southampton Town Justice Court for arraignment, police said.