LAPD Sting Catches Library Thief
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — A sting operation aimed at cutting down theft at the Central Library resulted in an arrest on Thursday. Police arrested Anthony Eugene Johnson, 43, after he walked off with an iPod set out by an undercover officer.
Johnson, who has multiple convictions and an arrest history that includes burglary, robbery, narcotics and vandalism, took two passes by the unattended iPod before picking it up and walking off with it the third time. Officers followed and arrested him several minutes later.
“This was no April Fool’s joke,” said Lt. Paul Vernon in a release. “Thefts at the library are too common place, and we want to send a message to thieves: think twice before you take someone’s stuff.”
There were 47 reported thefts at the Central Library in 2009, a 35% increase from the previous year. The most common items taken are electronic gadgets, such as iPods, laptops and cell phones.
“We want to scare the crooks into thinking that anytime they grab an iPod, it might belong to a cop,” Lt. Vernon said. “And we want the patrons to be more aware. I’d love to see every reading table have a sign to warn visitors to watch their stuff.”
Guest on April 02, 2010, at 07:22PM – #1
Is this serious?
Our cop force is spending time protecting iPods?
While they're at it busting serious crimes like $ 49 iPod theft, I wish they'd find out who steals the library's clean restrooms.
Guest on April 03, 2010, at 04:58AM – #2
I say good for LAPD and library patrons.
Guest on April 03, 2010, at 03:19PM – #3
Re: clean restrooms - that would be the city of Los Angeles which barely has enough janitorial crews to clean all of the public restrooms of the libraries once a day, let alone multiple times a day.
Library theft is common. People need to think before leaving their stuff out.
Guest on April 03, 2010, at 04:22PM – #4
" I wish they'd find out who steals the library's clean restrooms."
Homeless people.
Guest on April 04, 2010, at 01:48PM – #5
In response to guest #1: I suppose how you view this - the police cracking down on $49 ipod theft in the library - depends on whether or not you believe in the "broken windows" theory.
I guess you don't. But I do and I am glad the police made their presence felt. I just wish there were more of them, so that we could have them show up at the branch libraries too.
Guest on April 05, 2010, at 01:57PM – #6
@ guest 4
But I understand guest 1's WTF moment at this. An ipod being left unattended will always be taken no matter what. This type of thing happens all the time.
The police could easily use their influnce in other places that do need it such as pulling off stings on the busy roads or etc.
Guest on April 15, 2010, at 03:51PM – #7
Who stole the Library's operating hours?
Anyone seen their new schedule as of April 11?
M W F Sat 10 am - 6 pm
Tu Th 10 am - 8 pm
Closed Sunday
Besides the homeless, the unemployed and the independently wealthy, who can actually use the library?
It's embarrassing that a world-class city would even suggest cutting public library hours and services.