Glen Ellyn man charged in theft of thousands of library books

Lisle police say they've boxed thousands of stolen books and other items they recovered after arresting James F. Jackson of Glen Ellyn. Courtesy of the Lisle Police Department

These are just some of the materials Lisle police say they recovered after executing a search warrant at the apartment of a Glen Ellyn man whom they believe stole thousands of books and DVDs from area libraries. Courtesy of the Lisle Police Department

A Glen Ellyn man stole thousands of books, DVDs and other items from area libraries and then sold some of them on the Internet, Lisle police said Monday.

James F. Jackson, 43, of 385 Spruce Lane, Apt. 203, was taken into custody Friday, and has been charged with three felonies, Watch Cmdr. Ron Wilke said.

Police began investigating the thefts in April and arrested Jackson after a search of his apartment and vehicle turned up materials taken from libraries, including an unspecified number of items from the Lisle Public Library. Wilke said officers used a box truck to take the materials to the police station where they are being held as evidence.

Jackson was charged with theft of governmental property, library theft and theft over $300, police said.

Jackson apparently researched the value of books and other items before he took them to maximize his profits from the Internet sales. "He was looking for expensive books that would cost a library a lot of money," Wilke said.

Wilke said Jackson posted a long list of the books he had for sale on Amazon.com along with another list of items he didn't have but could acquire for customers.

Police have not yet determined how many libraries may have been victimized.

Jackson was taken to DuPage County jail where his bail was set at $25,000.

Lisle's acting library director, Katharine Seelig, said she learned of Jackson's arrest on Monday. She said the library does not have a complete list of missing items, but became aware something was wrong this spring when large reference books that can't be checked out were missing.

"We're hoping we might get some of our materials back," she said.

Officials from other libraries who suspect some of their books may have been recovered are asked to call the Lisle police investigations division at (630) 271-4100.