Saturday, January 24, 2009

Woman Arrested for Overdue Library Book

How long do you have to keep a library book before police come after you? A woman in Jesup, Iowa found out. Shelly Koontz borrowed the book " The Freedom Writers Diary" in April. Police caught up with her this week.

The library tried to get her to return the book. They made four phone calls, sent three letters, one certified letter and finally in September a police officer went to her home and talked to one of her daughters. By October, the library called police again. What's the value of the book? About $13.95. The police chief said “theft is theft, no matter what it is.”

What do you think it cost the library and the police department to go after Koontz? Was it more than $14? Yes, there is a principle, but I wonder if there are bigger crimes in Jesup. Koontz is out of jail and no longer lives in Jesup. Here are some basic facts about Jesup.

2 comments:

  1. Throw the book at her! (sorry, couldn't help myself!)

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  2. Can you imagine how she explained it to the other inmates? 'what are you in for? Overdue book.'
    She has to come up with a better story.

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