Report: Thief steals, sells $6,000 in library books

PITTSBURGH - Libraries in the Pittsburgh area are on alert after hundreds of books worth thousands of dollars were stolen, reports CBS Pittsburgh.

Jill McConnell, Acting Director of the Cooper Siegel Library in Fox Chapel, says that a lot of new books and bestsellers have vanished from the stacks in the last six months or so.

"We're missing over $6,000 worth of books," McConnell said.

The books are apparently being sold online, reports the station.

McConnell said that she learned several other libraries in surrounding counties are having a similar problem and that the library security systems are somehow being bypassed.

"They're very familiar with the different security systems that libraries use, and therefore able to remove the security devices that are in the books themselves, or maybe use another exit that isn't secure," said McConnell.

According to the station, police are pretty sure they know who the alleged thief is, and they say he has an extensive criminal record.

Now they're just hoping to book him.