PORTLAND, Maine (AP) _ A Maine man wants Portland’s so-called Valentine’s Day Bandits charged with a crime for taping a paper heart to his car.
The papering of hearts all over Portland has been a Valentine’s Day eve tradition for more than 40 years, but Brian LaVoie says they are touching personal property and “vandalizing.” LaVoie says he caught two “bandits” on camera who had taped a paper heart flyer to his car.
LaVoie says he was upset because tape wouldn’t come off his car due to cold, and he’s annoyed he has to clean his car.
A city spokesperson says the flyers are not technically legal under a city ordinance. The Portland Police Department says people can contact them if their cars have damage from the event.