Colorado Book Thief Sentenced

Thomas Pilaar, 34, who pleaded guilty in May to stealing thousands of items from Denver Public Library and the systems in nearby Aurora, Arapahoe County, and Douglas County, was sentenced July 8 to 10 years in prison and $53,549 in restitution.

Pilaar took about 1,400 books and DVDs by checking them out on his own and other people’s library cards, the Rocky Mountain News reported July 9. He sold many on Craigslist, although about 500 items were recovered.

“As a strategy for quick wealth, Mr. Pilaar would have been better off reading some investment management books,” James LaRue, director of Douglas County Libraries, told American Libraries. after the sentencing.

Posted on July 11, 2008. Discuss.

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