A forty-was outed by a merchant after a flight: a larceny in total contradiction with this being respectable and passionate about literature.
"A representative of a publishing house told me once that the biggest thief in my library would most likely be my best customer. Fabrice Armbruster, head of the Central Library at Soissons, never really wanted to believe him, until he took his most loyal customer hand in the bag, or rather the books under his arm.
"He's a grown very fond literature. Considering its status, its facade, we never would have suspected ... In addition, he bought a lot of books at home. "On Friday, February 18, the bookseller had yet to reach the obvious.
The man, a forty-year Treasury official, was "stung" at the exit of the store with a young adult novel and a literary essay concealed under the cloak and tucked under his arm. He was arrested by police Soissons.
the eyes of the law, a larceny. The injury does not exceed 40 euros. For many professional book the city is the confirmation of suspicions that the man wore on for a long time. "It had been years since flights" strange "were taking place," said Fabrice Armbruster.
The merchant considers to 87 the number of references that may have been pilfered by the "gentleman" last year. "Depending on the style of some books, it was signed. It was the only one to buy some of the stolen works! But nobody could take it on the fact ... "
Strong presumptions
Two other merchants of the city also had the vase to the "thief." Without ever surprise him. "I had doubts, about three years ago, says another bookseller. It lacked a book on a pile that I had stored away. However, he was the only customer who was signed between the store and when I found the flight ... "Since that mishap, it is watching carefully.
In another store, suspicions have also brought to the man. "A very sharp literary magazine was regularly stolen. We had only one or two copies, we only sold ever remembers Claudine Postel, manager at the Press House. We decided to put in reserve and sell it only on request ... The only customer who has asked, was he. "That was a little over two years. The manager has banned "residence" in the quadra his shop and handed the coveted magazine shelves. "And it does not go over," says she.
These observations have reached the ears Fabrice Armbruster. "I started to watch him more closely. Especially when he went into the back of the store. In vain ... "Until the fateful Friday, when the merchant has set up an ambush. "A friend was posing as a customer and remained in the shop. He did not look. He watched and saw the books disappear. When he left the store, we asked him books. It was done quickly. "Pending the arrival of the police, the bookseller had time to talk with the man. "He told me it was unhealthy, it was kleptomania. "Many
findings mean the lover of literature as responsible for many flights for several years. Nevertheless, traders have never cheated filed complaint, or handrail to the police. As a result, difficult for justice to prevail. According to our information, the investigation is closed. The official referred must therefore answer a single flight. Disciplinary sanctions are possible, given that the "victims" warned his superiors.
http://www.lunion.presse.fr/article/aisne/le-fonctionnaire-cleptomane-piege-par-les-libraires
