Man suspected in damaging library books
A 60-year-old Hillsboro man is suspected of causing more than $1,300 damage to more than 60 books from the Marion City Library and Hillsboro Library.
The hardback books were damaged by having pages ripped from them. They were books the man reportedly had checked out, then returned in damaged condition.
Marion Police Chief Michel Soyez told city commissioners at their Monday meeting that his department was informed last week of several criminal-damage-to-property incidents at the Marion library.
Damage at the Marion facility was to 30 books, totaling about $640. "Our investigation led to a suspect who was interviewed this week," said Soyez.
Several of the damaged books were recovered during a search in Hillsboro. The case was worked by Marion police in conjunction with the Hillsboro Police Department, Soyez said, since that city's library reported the same type and approximate amount of damage.
The case will be turned over to Marion County Attorney Susan Robson for prosecution, Soyez said.
Some of the damaged books may have been on loan from the Manhattan library, Soyez and librarian Janet Marler reported.
