Authorities: Library Book Thief Was Easy To Track
LISLE, Ill. (CBS) -- It was the unique nature of the books allegedly stolen by a Lisle Library janitor that led police to him.
As WBBM Newsradio's Nancy Harty reports, a history of DuPage County was among the thousands of reference books, DVDs and other materials that police say were stolen from the library by night janitor James F. Jackson of Glen Ellyn, the Chicago Tribune reported.
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Nancy Harty reports
Podcast
Jackson, 43, allegedly posted the stolen items on Amazon. He was arrested in August.
Lisle Public Library acting director Katharine Seelig tell the Daily Herald in August that she knew something wasn't right last spring, when reference books that are not allowed to be checked out were missing.
Police had to use a box truck to haul away all the stolen goods from Jackson's apartment, the Daily Herald reported.
An FBI spokeswoman tells the Tribune the relative anonymity of online auctions makes them a popular place to sell stolen goods.
Court records indicated Jackson has a criminal history dating to 1985, when he was convicted of retail theft, court records show. In January 1989, he was convicted of criminal damage to property; and in 1986 he was convicted of drunken driving.
Jackson has pleaded not guilty, and is next due in court on Oct. 18, the Tribune reported.
