Thu | Jun 4, 2026

Woman charged with stealing more than 200 library books

Published:Sunday | December 5, 2010 | 12:00 AM

ANNISTON, Alabama (AP): Librarians in Anniston, Alabama said they knew someone was stealing thousands of dollars worth of books, and now they believe they know who did it - a jobless woman who likes to read.

Anniston police say 42-year-old Regina M. Smith was arrested last Wednesday on a felony-theft charge after officials at the local library reported that a woman was seen stealing two books.

Police said they determined Smith had taken 222 books valued at US$5,432 over the past couple of years - mainly crime novels, mysteries and vampire stories.

Investigator Kyle Price said Smith has a library card but sneaked books out and kept them rather than borrowing them legally.

Court records didn't show whether Smith had an attorney. Her bond was set at US$10,000.