Area libraries suspect textbook theft scheme

Call it the Great Library Caper.

In what appears to be a large-scale textbook theft scheme, more than $16,800 worth of materials has been stolen from local libraries, including two Toledo-Lucas County Public Library locations and libraries at Bowling Green State University, Lourdes University, and Owens Community College.

A 40-year-old North Toledo man is suspected but has not yet been charged.

According to Rhonda Sewell, spokesman for the Toledo-Lucas County library system, he used the library's self-checkout system to check out nearly 160 items on library cards under his own name and another name.

The library contacted Toledo police, who are now investigating.

"It appears as though he's pulling some kind of scam," said Toledo police Sgt. Joe Heffernan. "As expensive as textbooks are, even if he got half price for them, I'm sure he could find a market, probably on the Internet."

The same person checked out and failed to return 49 books from BGSU's library, 45 books valued at $4,000 from Owens Community College, and $4,800 worth of books from Lourdes, according to police and officials at those institutions.

Library staff at Owens recently shared their suspicions with other libraries, turning up a much larger scheme, said John Betori, director of public safety and police chief for Owens.

Ms. Sewell said the public library limits the number of audio and visual materials that users can check out but does not limit the number of books. The library was in the process of sending late notices to the suspect when it received a tip from Owens that the person might be stealing materials, she said.

Many colleges and universities allow members of the public to use their libraries, even if they are not students or faculty.

At Bowling Green, for example, nonstudents can obtain a courtesy card, which the suspect appears to have taken advantage of, university spokesman Dave Kielmeyer said.

The suspect has a criminal history that involves convictions for attempted drug abuse, trafficking, and disorderly conduct.

In Lucas County, he faces an indictment for charges involving fraudulent vehicle titles. That case is pending.

Despite the suspect's interest in textbooks, his alleged scheme didn't strike Ms. Sewell as particularly intelligent.

"The unusual thing about all this is there is definitely a paper trail that's kind of easy to break," she said. "We're definitely trying to prosecute the suspect."

At the very least, he'll have one hefty library fine. At three weeks late, he would already owe $667.80 in overdue fees on his 159 books.

Contact Tony Cook at: tcook@theblade.com or 419-724-6065.