PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — A woman has been arrested for allegedly stealing a “Vote No 4” sign from a Port St. business. Lucia.

Amendment 4officially titled, the “Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion” on the Florida ballot has received national attention, but local communities have been vocal on both sides.

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

According to the arrest report, surveillance cameras captured a gray Ford Explorer bearing a bumper sticker that read “Defending Reproductive Rights Votes Yes on Amendment 4 November 5, 2024” pulling into the Rio Mar Plaza parking lot. The SUV backed into a handicapped parking spot, and a woman, later identified as Heen, got out of the vehicle carrying a battery-powered chainsaw.

The report goes on to say that Heen was seen walking onto US Highway One, temporarily disappearing from camera view. A few minutes later, she returned to the vehicle carrying a “Vote No on the 4th” sign. Heen then turned back to the road and returned with two more political signs and placed them in her car, according to the affidavit.

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

On November 4, during a phone call with investigators, Heen expressed her frustration with the political climate and intense debate surrounding Amendment 4. She said she felt compelled to take action against what she perceived as misleading political messages and harmful. Heen admitted to investigators that she used a battery-powered hacksaw to remove the “Vote No on the 4th” sign, believing it was her way of standing up for reproductive rights and saying a safer word for her daughter.

Heen faces multiple charges, including:

• Theft – first degree petty theft
• Property Damage – Criminal Mischief $200 or less

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

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