Arizona Couple Charged with Trafficking Stolen Property After Allegedly Stealing Library Books
A couple in Mesa, Arizona, has been charged with trafficking stolen property after allegedly stealing hundreds of books from the Mesa Public Library and reselling them to a bookstore. The bookstore alerted the library after noticing library labels on the…
Portland, OR, August 14, 2026 —
A Mesa, Arizona couple faces charges of trafficking stolen property following allegations that they stole a significant quantity of books from the Mesa Public Library. The couple is accused of taking hundreds of books from the library and subsequently selling them to a local bookstore.
The alleged theft and resale operation came to light when the bookstore contacted the Mesa Public Library. Employees at the bookstore reportedly noticed library identification labels on the books being sold, which raised suspicions. This discovery prompted the library to initiate an investigation into the matter.
The investigation led to the arrest of the couple. The specific number of books allegedly stolen was stated as hundreds. The value of the stolen property and the exact timeline of the alleged thefts were not immediately available.
Officials have confirmed that charges of trafficking stolen property have been filed against the individuals. The Mesa Public Library has not released a statement regarding the incident beyond confirming the ongoing investigation and cooperation with law enforcement. The bookstore that reported the suspicious activity has not been publicly identified.
Further details regarding the legal proceedings, including potential court dates and specific evidence, are expected to emerge as the case progresses. The charges indicate a violation of property laws, with the alleged resale of stolen items constituting trafficking.
Story summarized from the original created by Haley Williams on www.kptv.com, see more information here.
