Major book theft discovered in Germany
A major book theft has been discovered in Germany after a local Culture Ministry official allegedly stole more than 5,000 scientific books worth several million euros from German libraries, RT reports.
The 45-year-old official of the Culture Ministry in Hesse, Germany, was caught red-handed on February 21, Waldeckische Landeszeitung reports. The man was attempting to steal 53 books from the Bad Arolsen Castle library, having concealed them in his bags and pockets.
Suspicions were raised arose when books on mineralogy, geophysics, and natural history began to mysteriously disappear after his visits.
Police searched the man’s house, expecting to discover the other 31 books stolen from the castle’s library. Yet what they found was much more impressive. Over the years, the man had managed to steal a collection of around 5,000 rare and valuable scientific books. All the books still had library tags on them.
Preliminary estimates suggest the collection might be worth several million euros.
The man was interrogated and released, but is yet to face trial. All the books were confiscated, while libraries across Germany were sent notifications regarding the locations of their missing books.