Thief takes $900, checks from library book sale

Library volunteers in Spokane Valley thought they were spending their Saturday like the characters in “Little Women,” cheerfully doing good deeds.

But their weekend ended up more resembling an Agatha Christie mystery.

During the Friends of the Valley Library’s first ever used-book sale, a thief walked away with $900 cash and a small stack of personal checks. While volunteers said they noticed a suspicious-looking person wandering around the crowded event, Spokane Valley police spokesman Cpl. Dave Reagan said officers have had no luck tracking anyone down.

“We have no leads,” he said Monday.

The group formed nine months ago to support the Valley branch, which is part of the Spokane County Library District. The money it raises supplements library services in different ways, including buying furniture, helping pay for summer reading programs and providing children with treats after story times.

Volunteer Mayo Sayrs said Saturday’s sale started on a positive note with a long line of people waiting outside the library, 12004 E. Main Ave., to browse among 6,000 books.

“People didn’t buy five books. They bought boxes full,” she said.

When the cash drawer started to fill up, the volunteers stashed the $900 in what they thought was a safe spot in a back room, Sayrs said. She estimated that the money disappeared between 12:45 and 1:30 p.m.

While it was disappointing to lose the cash, Sayrs said she’s most concerned about notifying the 10 or so people whose personal checks were stolen.

“Now (the thief) has a name and address and bank account number,” she said. “We’re hoping that he tossed the checks and took the cash.”

Despite the theft, Friends of the Valley Library still was able to raise $570 at the sale, Sayrs said.

Library employees described the suspicious man at the sale as white, 26 to 34 years old and 185 pounds. He was wearing a white shirt and tan pants.

Anyone with information is asked to call the tip line at (509) 242-8477.