RFP Staff
♦ Few people realize it but most public libraries suffer a fair amount of books being purloined or simply never returned. Most of the later is human carelessness–especially youngsters. Generally when crime visits the Rowan County Library HQ on Fisher Street it mostly occurs in the rear parking lot where vehicles get broken into or there’s a purse snatching or strong arm robbery on either the W. Bank Street or the S. Jackson Street sides. Thieves know women carry purses into the rear library entrance. On rare occasions crime occurs on the library’s second floor when someone with mental health challenges flares up with another homeless person by the computers. This occurred back in 2016:
According to Salisbury Police sources The Rowan County Library HQ at 201 W. Fisher Street was the victim of a “larceny-shop lifting” at around noon this past Wednesday when a Black male wearing a Seattle jacket and carrying a red book bag, suddenly bolted out the library’s front door with 2 stolen books valued at $59 and sped away in a car parked on W. Fisher Street. It is reported the man earlier inquired about the location of books about true crime and astronomy. Minutes after the inquiry, the thief was seen headed out the front door when a library employee reminded him he needed to check the books out at the desk. Right away the book thief made his bid out the door.
Top of the SPD Incident Report on the stolen books from the Rowan County Library:
Manifest of Stolen Property from the SPD Incident Report:
Rowan County Library HQ, 201 W. Fisher Street:
Location Rowan County Library HQ, 201 W. Fisher Street:
Citizens having any knowledge about this crime is urged to call the Salisbury Police at 704-638-5333. If you fear retribution, want to remain anonymous and possibly collect a reward of up to $1,000, information can be submitted 24/7 via the web: http://tips.salisburyrowancrimestoppers.org/ or by calling the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.
The Rowan County Library accepts gifts of books and DVDs as well as money. Contact the library.
If the book thief reads this article and feels a tinkle of conscience, there are book return slots at the rear of the library building.
Rowan Free Press 
Posted on May 11, 2018