Two UMSL Students Arrested For Library Book Theft

Reports from the University of Missouri-St. Louis reveal that two not-so-esteemed students have been charged with library theft, a felony, after campus police say they stole about 70 books from the student library. Before you get excited thinking the two simply had an insatiable thirst for knowledge, it’s important to note that they stole the books so they could later sell them on the Internet.

Larry McCoy, 39, and Danielle Campbell, 28, were charged last week and their bail set at $15,000 each. The scheme came to light when a physics professor at an entirely different university, Western Illinois, called the dean of the library in St. Louis to let them know that he had purchased a book on eBay that appeared to belong to the school. Campus police then launched an investigation which revealed that the book was in fact owned by the school. They then tracked the address of the sender to Campbell and began to close in on the students.

The two stole and ultimately attempted to sell 71 books on eBay. Campbell checked out 32 of the books under her student ID while McCoy checked out the remaining 39. The two were finally cornered by the police and confessed to checking out and then selling all but 15 of the books online.

Police have said that the total value of the stolen books was about $7,100. According to Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 570:

“A person commits the crime of stealing if he or she appropriates property or services of another with the purpose to deprive him or her thereof, either without his or her consent or by means of deceit or coercion.”

Police are making the case that’s exactly what happened here and the value of the stolen books means that the two face potentially serious trouble. Missouri law stipulates that in any case where the value of the stolen property exceeds $500 but is less than $25,000, a Class C felony has occurred.

If you’ve had a run in with the law and find yourself in need of a St. Louis criminal defense lawyer capable of fighting for your freedom, don’t hesitate to contact our St. Louis criminal law firm today at (314) 863-0500.

Source: “University of Missouri-St. Louis students arrested after selling library books on eBay,” by Christine Byers, published at STLToday.com.