Unreturned library book leads to woman's arrest

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa – An Iowa woman has been arrested because she failed to return a library book.

Thirty-nine-year-old Shelly Koontz was arrested Thursday night on a fifth-degree theft charge. She is accused of keeping "The Freedom Writers Diary," which she checked out from the public library in nearby Jesup in April.

Police say the book — which is about a high school teacher's effort to inspire students to write — is valued at $13.95.

Court records show library employees tried repeatedly to contact Koontz by phone and mail. A police officer even visited her home last September.

Officials at the Buchanan County jail say Koontz was released after posting $250 bond. No telephone listing for Koontz could be found in the Independence area.

that not right just pay the$13.95 and be done with it

I had a video from the library for 6 years...just forgot....They wanted 300 buck in late fees...I just told them they were lucky to get the video back.

What a crock of sh!t, that's the kind of crap that gives cops a bad rep, there is a clause called Officer discretion, tell the dam prosecutor if he wants her arrested to do it himself!!!

Rockhound wrote:

What a crock of sh!t, that's the kind of crap that gives cops a bad rep, there is a clause called Officer discretion, tell the dam prosecutor if he wants her arrested to do it himself!!!

amen buddy, i better get my late books back to the library. lolol

Yep...lots more things cops could be doing besides hunting books.

That's right, Greg... There is MANY MANY other things that they can be doing other than chasing after a freakin book....