Update Nov. 2: Sheila Carrol, sister of Councilmember Jeff Mills, has reentered the city council race after withdrawing last month. She is running against James Kole and Adrian Simmons for one of two District 2 city council seats.

City councilmember Jeff Mills (District 2) has filed criminal complaints against fellow councilmember James Kole (District 1) and Kole’s husband, Joshua Kole, for stealing one of Mills’ campaign signs.

The complaints, filed in Prince George’s County District Court on Oct. 26 and 27, seek prosecution of the Koles for theft of less than $100 and malicious destruction of property worth less than $1,000.

Mills said in an interview that he discovered one of his campaign signs and one of council candidate Brencis Smith’s had been removed from a Sunoco gas station at Route 1 and Montgomery Street. He said he viewed video footage from a gas-station camera, and it showed a man stopping at the gas station on Oct. 23 at 10:30 a.m., taking down the signs and putting them in his car.

Mills said he identified the man as Joshua Kole.

Mills also has filed a complaint with the Laurel Ethics Commission.

Both James Kole and Mills are running unopposed for reelection on Nov. 4. Smith, a former councilmember, is running against incumbent Christine Johnson for the council’s one at-large seat.

Brencis Smith said in an interview that he viewed the video as well, and afterwards called James Kole about his missing sign. Kole “told me to come pick it up,” which Smith did.

In an interview, Joshua Kole acknowledged taking Smith’s sign. He said he asked the gas-station attendant if he could remove the sign, and was given permission. “I know Brencis,” he said. “I wanted to mess with him … goof around. … It had nothing to do with politics.”

Smith was outspoken about damaged and stolen signs during the 2023 election.

Joshua Kole did not admit to taking Mills’ sign.

However, in an interview, James Kole said that Joshua did take Mills’ sign, and he had Joshua go back to the station and replant it.

“I was not aware that Josh was taking any signs,” James Kole said. “I had Josh apologize to Brencis.”

“I disapprove of everything Josh did,” James continued. “I’m sorry it happened.” He said that Joshua was suffering from long COVID, which can affect cognitive functioning.