Scotia Police are investigating a video that appears to show Republican Assembly candidate Joe Mastroianni stealing a political mailer from a mailbox in the village.

Mastroianni responded to the allegations on Wednesday evening.

“There are silly instances that politicians want to make an issue about whether they are stolen lawn signs, or false accusations, or misleading campaign literature,” he said. “My campaign has knocked on thousands of doors and prior to this complaint, there has not been a single allegation against myself or any of my team for any incidences whatsoever.”

The formal complaint was filed Wednesday with the department, police said.

Schenectady County Democratic Committee Chairman Frank Salamone provided Ring camera video from a resident. 

One video shows a mail carrier delivering what Salamone said was an election mailer sent by Mastroianni’s opponent, Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, D-Rotterdam.

Another video shows Mastroianni taking some pamphlets out of a mailbox and putting in his campaign literature as he says: “bad, bad, bad.”

Salamone called on Mastroianni to suspend his campaign and resign from the Rotterdam Town Board.

“Beyond the criminality of stealing mail, Mr. Mastroianni clearly demonstrated that he does not possess the requisite judgment and character to hold public office,” Salamone said. 

Residents at the Town of Rotterdam board meeting Wednesday night called for the town board to remove Mastroianni.

“I’m pissed off. He broke the law. If he does not resign on his own, if this board does not ask for his resignation, I will come back again,” one resident said.

Santabarbara sent out a statement regarding what he said was a “disturbing video.”

“After viewing the footage, I was truly shocked and disheartened by what I saw,” it read.

“My opponent has already raised serious concerns with his troubling past comments spreading conspiracies about the 9/11 attacks,” the statement continued. “However, stealing mail marks a new low and crosses an unacceptable line. The actions shown in the video reflect extremely poor judgment and are far beneath the dignity expected of anyone seeking or holding public office.”

“At this time, I will allow law enforcement to conduct their investigation and will refrain from further comment. I do hope my opponent will fully cooperate with the authorities as they look into this serious matter,” he went on to say.

Police said more information would be released upon the conclusion of the investigation.