Smokey on Facebook tips to stolen signs

PORTALES, N.M. (KRQE) - When Smokey Bear warning of high fire danger appeared in a Facebook posting, someone tipped the Roosevelt County Sheriff's Office leading to the recovery of 61 stolen highway signs.

On Friday the tipster told deputies about pictures on the social-networking website showing individuals posing with highway and street signs inside a home. The Smokey Bear sign had been reported as stolen, Chief Deputy Sheriff Malin Parker said.

Deputy Javier Sanchez recognized the home, and he and other deputies headed to 1000 W. 3rd St. in Portales where no one answered the door. But a look through an uncovered window in the door revealed numerous road signs hanging in the room.

Later Bradley Lee, 23, and Cody Lane Draper, 18, gave permission to search the home leading deputies to the 61 signs plus marijuana and drug paraphernalia, according to Parker. The signs were traced back to several counties in eastern New Mexico and western Texas, he said.

The case remains under investigation, and no charges have yet been filed, Parker said.