414.08 ALTERATION, INJURY, REMOVAL OF TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES.
   (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;
      (3)   Knowingly move, damage, destroy, or otherwise improperly tamper with a manhole cover.
         (ORC 4511.17)
   (b)   Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates divisions (a)(1) or (a)(3) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. If a violation of divisions (a)(l) or (a)(3) of this section creates a risk of physical harm to any person, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. A violation of divisions (a)(1) or (a)(3) of this section that causes serious physical harm to property that is owned, leased, or controlled by a State or local authority is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate State law.
(ORC 4511.99(K))