(a) No person, without lawful authority, shall do any of the following:
(1) Knowingly move, deface, damage, destroy or otherwise improperly tamper with any traffic control device, any railroad sign or signal, or any inscription, shield or insignia on the device, sign or signal, or any part of the device, sign or signal;
(2) Knowingly drive upon or over any freshly applied pavement marking material on the surface of a roadway while the marking material is in an undried condition and is marked by flags, markers, signs or other devices intended to protect it; or
(3) Knowingly move, damage, destroy or otherwise improperly tamper with a manhole cover. (ORC 4511.17)
(b) Whoever violates paragraph (a)(1) or (3) hereof is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree unless such a violation creates a risk of physical harm to any person, in which case whoever violates paragraph (a)(1) or (3) hereof is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. The penalty shall be as provided in Section 408.01. A violation of paragraph (a)(1) or (3) hereof that causes serious physical harm to property that is owned, leased or controlled by a State or local authority is a felony of the fifth degree and shall be prosecuted under Ohio R.C. 4511.99.
(ORC 4511.99(K))