12 Indicted for Stealing Library Books

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. - Twelve people have been indicted for stealing books from the Prince George's County Library System.

Prosecutors say it wasn't just a few books, it was a lot of books-- 822 books, to be exact. They estimate the value of the stolen volumes at $87,220.65

The investigation began when an employee at the Hyattsville Branch noticed one patron had checked out dozens of high value books which were long overdue. Managers contacted Hyattsville police who began a probe.

During the investigation, police at the University of Maryland Baltimore County announced arrests for the theft and resale of books from the campus library.

That got officials at Harford Community College interested, and campus police there discovered a similar pattern. Five people have been charged with theft in Harford County.

"Ironically," campus police chief Mary Eilerman said dryly, "It was books on ethics [among other topics.]"

Local investigators believe the books from Prince George's County libraries' books wound up being sold at book exchanges in Towson. Prosecutors allege that 12 of the 18 branch libraries in Prince George's County were hit by the thieves.

"Because this was a theft from a public institution," States Attorney Glenn Ivey told reporters, "Excuse the pun, but the grand jury wanted to 'throw the book' at these people."

Because of the value of the books, the alleged thieves could be facing some serious prison time. Maryland law allows a sentence of up to 15 years upon conviction for theft of items worth more than $500.