Ala. woman charged in theft of 200 library books

ANNISTON, Ala. – Librarians in Anniston, Ala., 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 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 $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, he said.

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