Man swipes signs urging passage of anti-gay marriage Proposition 8

Modesto police are looking for a man who reportedly stole a stack of signs supporting a constitutional ban on gay marriage, then punched the owner of the signs in the eye when he tried to reclaim his materials.

The victim told police he had to get 16 stitches as a result, said police spokesman Sgt. Brian Findlen.

Demonstrators against gay marriage had set up a table outside St. Stanislaus Church at 1416 Maze Blvd. On Sunday about 11:15 a.m., a man exchanged words about gay marriage with the Proposition 8 supporter before taking the signs.