Middletown Man Accused Of Stealing Wethersfield Library Books: Police

WETHERSFIELD, CT — A Middletown man has been accused by Wethersfield police of stealing thousands of dollars worth of library books from the Wethersfield Public Library.

According to the Wethersfield Police Department, Levi Preston, 50, of Middletown, was charged with third-degree larceny on Tuesday, Jan. 28.

He was released on $1,000 bond and will appear in New Britain Superior Court.

Police said the charge comes as, on Dec. 11, 2023, the WPD was notified by library officials that about $5,600 worth of books had been stolen.

The WPD said it worked with the West Hartford Police Department regarding the incident and Preston was identified as a suspect.

Preston was taken into custody and booked after an arrest warrant was issued against him.

The West Hartford Police Department has filed no charges against Preston.

The West Hartford Public Library system reported significant amounts of stolen books in 2023.

At the time, West Hartford library officials said they started noticing missing books in the summer of that year. West Hartford library officials speculated in 2023 that the stolen books were simply being sold, as a stolen book sold for any amount would be profitable for a thief.

From Oct. 2, 2023: 'Book Thieves Target West Hartford Libraries'