Arraignment postponed for Pomona councilwoman charged with sign theft

POMONA -- An arraignment hearing was postponed this week for a Pomona City Councilwoman charged with stealing a campaign sign.

Ginna Escobar was set to be arraigned this morning, but her attorney appeared Wednesday in Pomona Superior Court and had the hearing postponed to Jan. 10.

Prosecutors have charged Escobar with petty theft, a misdemeanor, for allegedly stealing a campaign sign belonging to Carlos Goytia, a board member at the Three Valleys Municipal Water District.

Escobar was cited by Pomona police for allegedly taking the sign on Nov. 2 -- Election Day -- the same day the 24-year-old defeated incumbent councilman Tim Saunders by only 71 votes.

Escobar's attorney, Lawrence Forbes, appeared Wednesday in Judge Juan C. Dominguez's courtroom. Escobar was not present during the hearing.

According to a minute order of the hearing, Forbes received a copy of the complaint filed by prosecutors and a copy of the police report about Escobar's alleged theft.

Forbes did not return a call seeking comment today.

Escobar, a former Miss Pomona, represents District 5, which includes the Phillips Ranch and Westmont neighborhoods.