An Arizona couple is facing charges after a scheme to monetize public property came to an end. Ian and Athena Bartlett stand accused of stealing hundreds of books from the Mesa Public Library system to resell them at a local bookstore.
Authorities began investigating in May when staff at a Half Price Books location grew suspicious of a woman attempting to sell inventory clearly marked as library property. The bookstore refused the transaction, prompting library officials to examine their own circulation records.
Investigators found that Ian Bartlett maintained two separate library accounts. One had been suspended due to an outstanding balance of $1,565 for unreturned materials, while the other account held 66 books that were never returned. Records provided by the bookstore revealed that Athena Bartlett had sold 423 books to the shop between May 7 and May 14.
Combined, the couple allegedly caused a $6,500 loss to the library. The pair was identified when they returned to the library on August 10 and were subsequently detained by police. During questioning, the duo admitted to the theft and resale scheme. Both individuals now face charges related to the trafficking of stolen property.