The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office has charged Rajendra Joshi with theft by unlawful taking in connection with last Thursday’s incident.

In a Facebook post, Keith Hahn – the Republican candidate for mayor of Edison – identified Rajendra Joshi as the uncle of his Nov. 2nd rival, Democratic candidate for Mayor Sam Joshi.

Sam Joshi (who responded to the charging of his uncle on FB, see bottom) was with his uncle last week when local police showed up.

Sam Joshi prevailed in the June Primary when nearly every member of the New Jersey Democratic Party establishment endorsed his candidacy, from Governor Phil Murphy on down.

From last week’s InsiderNJ story:

Alleged sign-stealing in New Jersey politics usually doesn’t warrant much press attention. But it also usually doesn’t show up on camera, and in this case implicate at least an ally of the Democratic candidate for mayor in Edison, who’s also on scene.

Republican mayoral contender Keith Hahn posted a video on his Facebook page, which appears to show an ally of Sam Joshi removing Hahn signs from the back of his trunk and giving them to local police. Joshi also appears in the video talking to police, who appear to prevail on the Joshi ally to return the evidently stolen signs.

The mayoral candidate’s precise role is unclear, but the police are talking to him (see below).

Based on his knowledge of what happened, Hahn said he holds Joshi responsible.

The Republican candidate for mayor posted a caption on the video:

“Sam Joshi caught red handed as the Edison Police remove the stolen signs from the trunk of his campaign vehicle. Edison deserves better!”

Hahn told InsiderNJ that police are currently investigating the incident.

“I anticipate criminal charges will be filed and and a statement from the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office will follow, similar to what we saw today in Monroe,” Hahn told InsiderNJ. “With the many difficult issues facing one of New Jersey largest towns the residents of Edison deserve a mature, responsible and ethical Mayor. Joshi’s actions today should be a disqualifier.”

Joshi did not immediately respond to a query for his comment on the matter.