STATESVILLE, N.C. — A doll that was found hanging by a rope above an election sign for a Statesville City Council member was determined to be a prank, police say.

Statesville Police responded to a report of suspicious activity last Monday at the intersection of Wilson Lee Boulevard and Fayetteville Avenue. A nearby neighbor told police they found the doll hanging from a street sign with a rope around its neck. It was positioned directly above an election sign for Doris Allison, the Ward 3 City Council representative.

Federal authorities were contacted to assist with the investigation. The incident was initially considered a possible hate crime . On Tuesday, Statesville police announced that detectives tracked down the person who placed the doll there.

Using area cameras, officers were a

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