Rodgers sign stolen by city worker

GREEN BAY - After 16 years working at the Green Bay Water Utility, Tom Hodkiewicz's job is in jeopardy - all because of an apparent prank that went too far.

Police arrested Hodkiewicz early Saturday morning after an officer spotted a street sign in the back of his car. It turns out it was the sign for Aaron Rodgers Drive. Earlier in the week, Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt put up the temporary sign to honor the Packers new quarterback, as the team was preparing to face off against its old one.

At the time, Schmitt acknowledged vandalism was a concern.

"Hopefully people will respect it like when we changed New York Avenue to McCarthy's Way," Schmitt said after putting up the sign on Friday.

FOX 11 visited Hodkiewicz's Green Bay home Tuesday. He did come to the door but said he did not want to comment on the incident. He was visibly upset and said he is afraid he is going to lose his job.

Officials with Green Bay Water Utility say they are still reviewing the incident.

"We've asked Tom to stay home, with pay, but until we get this sorted out, we feel its better that he's not on the premise," said Bill Nabak, the general manager of Green Bay Water Utility.

A spokesperson for the Green Bay Police Department said Hodkiewicz told officers he took the sign on a dare by co-workers and didn't intend to keep it. Nabak said he has not been able to verify the story but he said that doesn't mean it's not true.

"There's been no indication in Tom's past of any types of trouble either on the job or off the job that I'm aware of," said Nabak.

Some are wondering if Hodkiewicz just got caught up in all the hype of last weekend's game. He was cited for theft and fined $366.

There will be no criminal charges against him. Water utility officials hope to make a decision on his future by the end of the week.