Woman arrested for stealing 'Vote No on 4' sign in Port St. Lucie during Florida abortion debate

HARBOR ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — A woman was arrested for allegedly stealing a sign that read “Vote No on 4” from a business in Port St. Lucie.

Amendment 4Officially titled “The Amendment to Limit Government Interference in Abortion” on the Florida ballot has received national attention, but local communities have spoken out on both sides.

The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office (SLCSO) said the dispatch center received a report of vandalism and theft involving political signs from a local business, A Faster PC, at 7190 South US Highway One on October 30. The investigation revealed that the suspect, identified as Crystal Summer Heen, was captured on surveillance footage allegedly committing the crime.

According to the arrest report, surveillance cameras recorded a gray Ford Explorer, with a sticker reading “Defend Reproductive Rights Vote Yes on Amendment 4, November 5, 2024,” pulling into the Rio Mar Plaza parking lot. The SUV backed into a handicapped parking space and a woman, later identified as Heen, exited the vehicle with a battery-powered saw.

The report goes on to say that Heen walked toward US Highway One and temporarily disappeared from the camera’s view. Minutes later, she returned to the vehicle holding a “Vote No on 4” sign. Heen then walked back to the roadway and returned with two more political signs and put them in her car, according to the probable cause statement.

The owner of the sign spoke to investigators and stated that the signs were worth approximately $150, and he wanted to press charges.

On November 4, during a phone call with investigators, Heen reportedly expressed her frustration with the political climate and intense debates surrounding Amendment 4. She stated that she felt compelled to take action against what she considered misleading and harmful political messages. Heen admitted to investigators that they used a battery-powered saw to remove the “Vote No on 4” sign because she believed it was her way of standing up for reproductive rights and creating a safer word for her daughter.

He faces multiple charges, including:

Theft – petty theft with premeditation
Property Damage – Criminal Mischief $200 or less

The amendment has sparked intense debates across the state. Advocates argue that it is essential to protect reproductive rights, especially in light of recent legislative efforts to impose stricter abortion regulations. Opponents, including prominent political figures and organizations, argue that the amendment could lead to more permissive abortion laws and undermine parental consent requirements for minors seeking abortions.

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