Who's taking my Yard (bandit) signs?

[Adrian Smude]

I live in a smaller city where over the last few months the signs have had a long life, 2-3 weeks.  Typically there aren't many real estate signs around, but recently I've noticed a few other real estate signs out.  In the last few weeks my signs haven't lasted but a few days at best.  Typically I'd say it's the city picking them up, but I see other signs still out.  A few of the intersections that mine diapered there is still signs for New Homes.  My thoughts are the new home builder is taking my signs, or a new investor in the area is taking my signs, or I'm just the unlucky one that the city is grabbing my signs and missing others.  What are your thoughts?  What are your thoughts of how to handle this?  

[Michael Hart]

Watch out for the blonde in the BMW! :) 

When I saw the question I couldn't help but smile. I've had a few signs mysteriously disappear in the past. I remember one time in particular where I put out my FSBO, Open House & directional signs en route to a house we'd just bought.

I placed the last FSBO directional sign on the corner of my street. My house was about 12 houses down from the corner so I had a clear view of the sign from the front yard of the house.

As I got out of the car to put my Open House sign in the yard, I noticed someone had pulled up next to the sign I just put up on the corner. 

I watched as the drivers door popped open (the trunk must've popped open at the same time) and without skipping a beat, a little blonde girl jumps out, grabs my sign, tosses it into the trunk of her little BMW and BAMMM, she was gone! 

Of course I could've jumped in my car and chased her down, but then what? 

Why did she do it? Did I mention she had a magnetic Century 21 sign on her car door?