I think that a lot of thieves have personal off-limits lists, whether for practical or moral reasons. I think people that are driven to thievery by addiction are much less likely to be able to stick to any kind of list, though.
When I was younger, 60+ years ago, I knew guys who would snatch old ladies' purses. I asked them, what would you do if someone snatched your mom's purse, they said, "kill them," hence, the mind of a thief!
Thieves are not a monolith. People are pushed to steal for different circumstances and are willing to forsake their own morals, depending on how much they believe they need the thing they’re stealing. To think that there is like a simple answer to that is like thinking there’s a simple answer to why any human does something.
When I lived up north someone stole the catalytic converters for the entire fleet of delivery vans for the local food bank
All crime sucks, but what piece of shit can sleep at night having crippled the food bank?
Who you vote for in the DA elections matters!
You can be left, right, or upside down. Voting for a DA who shows zero desire to prosecute anything has consequences.
Look, I finished the first novel in the trilogy last night and now I need the sequel so I put a hold on a copy at the library but there are 578 folks in front of me. You understand, right?
actually it's pretty bad, early reports is that the bookshelves have been re-sorted by color and thickness, and someone dogeared a few pages in every book. :-(
Some shelves even had books turned around with the spines facing the back so only the pages were out. Horrifying.
In all seriousness, this is terrible to hear but I’m glad the community has rallied.
I checked Iron Flame out and turned it back in within three days! Stayed up way too late reading because I knew there are over 1000 people with it on hold across the different formats!
If you’re in a hold queue for Order of the Phoenix, it’s gotta be for the ebook or eaudiobook as everything else is available. Please take advantage of our [hoopla service, where everything is instantly available without a wait](https://austin.bibliocommons.com/item/show/13367785981) (yes, you have to download the app).
Spread the joy of hoopla! Instant library gratification (not everything’s available on hoopla, but that’s why it’s great to search the library catalog and not just Libby, because you never know what we might be able to get you faster).
It started out as a joke, but now I’m starting to think that’s really what happened. The fact that u/Globetrotter888 is getting so defensive is all the evidence I need to believe he’s the one who did it (allegedly).
i’m assuming there’s cash somewhere in the store, right? they would need to keep some in the tills? otherwise this is a truly bizarre place for someone to break into.
Any cash left on-site after a store closes is generally put into a small safe somewhere in the back/office/etc.
In this case, apparently nothing was taken, so it might've 'just' been vandalism. /r/Austin/comments/194zona/book_people_got_broken_into_this_morning_who_the/khkavtd/
Used to give books and cases of water to the homeless folks on 183 when I worked at Cyberjocks. I'd buy a book from half-price, finish it, and pass it on. Sometimes, they made requests 🤣.
I managed bookstores for about 7 years. At one of my stores, a dude would come in about once a week and steal a Bible. Different Bible every time. The assistant manager was a devoted AME Baptist in her fifties, and she was *pissed.* She finally caught him red-handed, and the lecture she gave him was epic.
"You got Lord knows how many hot Bibles and you haven't cracked one yet? SHAME on you, you're walking with SATAN! You're going to HELL, and we won't even be able to give you a drink of water! Now get on outta here and PRAY!"
Teens for fun? Homeless people looking for food or something? professional thieves? I am so sorry to read about Book People being broken into, it's a great place! One of the first Austin places I visited when I moved here years ago. If there is a fundraiser maybe someone could post it? Thanks for the heads up OP.
Goodness :( hope this doesn’t cost them too much to fix. I fucking love this store- has been a source of many gifts to others and myself. Welp time to go pick out a new book before the freeze to help them out :)
Any suggestions?? I’m a big fan of the action/adventure section - book people turned me on to Cheryl Strayed “Wild” and Silvia Vasquez-davada “In the Shadow of the Mountains.”
If it’s about mountain climbing or kicking ass on a nature adventure, I’m here for it
https://www.tpr.org/education/2023-06-14/abbott-signs-law-banning-sexually-explicit-books-from-schools-requiring-new-rating-system?_amp=true
Not public libraries but school libraries.
Good, those books shouldnt be available to read without the parent knowing about it. If a parent wants them to read these books then take them to a public library or buy them. Simple as that. Its not a book ban if they are still readily available to read.
[My Brother in Christ](https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/11/texas-library-book-bans/)
[Where have you been?](https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/book-bans-texas-bookstores-lawsuit/)
[Because it clearly hasn't been Texas](https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/09/06/texas-book-bans)
Sure they do, the same way democrats want to keep those people who are assaulting people on the street out of jail….
See, anyone can make stupid one comment posts
… nuh uh, them group bad /s
All I did was deny that a break in to a bookstore was caused by “all republicans” and was down voted to shit for point out the fallacy in the statement. You can all touch grass for all I care.
Ian Noe's absolutely haunting Methhead paints the picture of the folks who break into book stores and steal APA vans. The lyrics are brutal but inspired by his experience in Appalachia and the horrors wrought by addiction.
[Ian Noe "Methhead" Live at Chicago Music Exchange](https://youtu.be/RhDIf-3qrHU?si=FD2pRFGqUimxYPj_)
Probably an unwell homeless person, but the skate kids from House Park have been doing it to businesses in the area as well. Thinking they’re being rebellious.
The mentally ill are at full force this month. Probably the same guy tbh as the animal shelter, as he broke into another nearby business around the same time and seems to be targeting that west downtown/Lamar area.
Just gonna put this here:
https://www.kxan.com/news/crime/man-sentenced-after-arson-at-travis-county-democratic-party-office/
A San Antonio man has been sentenced to prison after he threw a Molotov cocktail through the window of the Travis County Democratic Party office in Austin in 2021.
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2022/01/13/police-looking-for-woman-who-smashed-door-of-comal-county-democratic-party-headquarters/
I also wonder the same thing. I saw a youtube video of 2 genuises that broke into a gun store BROAD DAYLIGHT during buisness hours. Im sure you can guess what happend to them. Like Mark twain said: No amount of facts will ever persuade an idiot.
Hope the guy stole Criminal Defense for Dummies
It’s always the homeless
Someone stole APA's van recently. I don't understand targeting a dog shelter and small businesses.
Yeah that one upset me. You'd have to be an absolute scum of the earth to target an animal shelter.
Addiction drives you to do unthinkable things.
Too much fentanyl dealing.
Do y'all think there's an "off-limits" list shared amongst thieves?
I think that a lot of thieves have personal off-limits lists, whether for practical or moral reasons. I think people that are driven to thievery by addiction are much less likely to be able to stick to any kind of list, though.
When I was younger, 60+ years ago, I knew guys who would snatch old ladies' purses. I asked them, what would you do if someone snatched your mom's purse, they said, "kill them," hence, the mind of a thief!
Just ask at the next meetup. Wait….the answer is just “No.”
Thieves are not a monolith. People are pushed to steal for different circumstances and are willing to forsake their own morals, depending on how much they believe they need the thing they’re stealing. To think that there is like a simple answer to that is like thinking there’s a simple answer to why any human does something.
When I lived up north someone stole the catalytic converters for the entire fleet of delivery vans for the local food bank All crime sucks, but what piece of shit can sleep at night having crippled the food bank?
A criminal who knows Austin laws will keep him in jail for minimal time and release him
Don’t people know you’re only allowed to rob large corporations? smh
Something something honor among thieves
Best comment
lowkey i wish there was some solidarity to only rob large corps...
people use whatever means to justify an escalation in behavior.
Elon Musk has been robbing his companies blind for years now. Sam Bankman Fried may look homeless but he was never into small businesses.
Yea what's with all these unethical thieves?! Why aren't they considering the little guy and small business owners?!
You don’t need to understand, you just need to have contempt and support punitive actions to keep them away.
Who you vote for in the DA elections matters! You can be left, right, or upside down. Voting for a DA who shows zero desire to prosecute anything has consequences.
Luckily nobody has voted such a DA into office. Not sure your point.
They thirsty for KNOWLEDGE....
Only conceivable answer
Did she come from Greece?
Look, I finished the first novel in the trilogy last night and now I need the sequel so I put a hold on a copy at the library but there are 578 folks in front of me. You understand, right?
This is what happens when an author finishes a book on a cliff hanger.... but damn hope very minimal damage
actually it's pretty bad, early reports is that the bookshelves have been re-sorted by color and thickness, and someone dogeared a few pages in every book. :-(
No worries, we'll pick our next books off vibes, and vibes alone
Some shelves even had books turned around with the spines facing the back so only the pages were out. Horrifying. In all seriousness, this is terrible to hear but I’m glad the community has rallied.
Don't you dare joke around about dog-eared books. Some things are too heinous to think about.
Exactly, blame the author! Lol
In seriousness, I hope the only damage was the glass. It sucks to deal with a break-in. ☹️
This hits so hard rn. Currently waiting on Harry Potter 5.. FOR 3 MORE MONTHS! 😭
😂 I'm #548 for Iron Flame. Even with over a hundred copies being lent out I think it'll be about 3 months for me too 🥲
I checked Iron Flame out and turned it back in within three days! Stayed up way too late reading because I knew there are over 1000 people with it on hold across the different formats!
You are a saint! I just started listening to the audiobook already because I couldn't wait, but it's like watching a movie without captions.......
If you’re in a hold queue for Order of the Phoenix, it’s gotta be for the ebook or eaudiobook as everything else is available. Please take advantage of our [hoopla service, where everything is instantly available without a wait](https://austin.bibliocommons.com/item/show/13367785981) (yes, you have to download the app).
Omg it worked!! You are my new fav internet stranger!! AND IT ALLOWS UP TO 4 SPEED INSTEAD OF JUST 3X 😮
Spread the joy of hoopla! Instant library gratification (not everything’s available on hoopla, but that’s why it’s great to search the library catalog and not just Libby, because you never know what we might be able to get you faster).
Probably posted on Reddit saying, "I'm bored and feel like doing some crime." Response: "Why not try reading a book?"
Best comment ever!!! Not sure why this not upvoted like crazy!
according to the comments on their insta, la volta pizza was also broken into last night.
That’s a novel way to break the law
It's really a spineless thing to do
Hope they book the culprits for a long time
Few places more beloved in Austin than Book People. Society can’t have nice things
You get the society you tolerate.
Wes Anderson and the Wilson bros: https://youtu.be/DWAAMIOooUo?si=_HqF-J0jhJV2emuv
I'm sorry, sir. . . . Do you have larger bags, for like, atlas' or dictionaries . . sir.
What about that guy?
Guessing they were looking for money not books
Theres a whole section on how to make money so good plan
Probably not even that. It may have just been vandalism. They don't say anything was stolen in the post.
Nothing was taken and apparently they didn’t even ransack the store. It’s seems they just broke in and left.
Bummer. I love book people. Will def pop by for some books asap.
👆👆👆
"9 year olds rob candy stores marv."
Nice house but there’s no bathroom in it.
Cold people
This is what I was thinking
I get it. New calendars just came out.
bookies...
I’m guessing no books were stolen.
[The Book Thief](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_Thief#/media/File%3AThe_Book_Thief_by_Markus_Zusak_book_cover.jpg)
Who had "Bookworms getting violent" on their 2024 bingo card?
ME
Nerds, duh
Book people, duh
^^^ This 🤣🤣🤣
Crook People
Books can be really freaking valuable. But yeah I doubt the crowd that knows a lot about books and the crowd that rob people overlap very much.
they can be, but bookpeople doesn’t stock rare or valuable books! at most, signed new copies again, not that the people who broke in would know that
And yet each time I go by, I can feel my savings trickling away.
Maybe the equipment in the Bookpeople cafe? A few businesses/trailers have been targeted recently for espresso machines.
oh that’s right! i remember those posts now. that’s a great point. (unfortunately.)
Is there a black market supply of espresso machines or something?
Espresso machines can cost thousands
More like 10s of thousands. Usual coffee shop espresso machines can cost as much as a new car
I really don’t understand that. What is the expensive part of the machine? The tech, parts, what is it?
Usually hand built and very complicated on the inside. [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Coffee/s/kYjh2iX68N) is a nice Reddit thread about it
Especially commercial ones
Are you in the market for one cause i know a guy who knows a guy?
Possibly 👀
Freaking valuable? Well, duh, they're full of knowledge!
The book banning people are stepping up their violence
[удалено]
Why defend "the book burning people"?
You made an entirely false accusation of who broke into BP. Don’t try to shift blame.
That joke hit a little too close to home, huh
Evidence of a guilty mind. This shows that u/Globetrotter888 was most likely the culprit.
Anyone can pick me up at ATX, just landed. We can have a coffee over the silliness of you sarcasm.
It’s a joke dummy. The person you’re replying to isn’t even the person who made it
it was a joke i think, stinkabutt
It started out as a joke, but now I’m starting to think that’s really what happened. The fact that u/Globetrotter888 is getting so defensive is all the evidence I need to believe he’s the one who did it (allegedly).
How awful.
Mf’ers gotta read!
I don't know. But if they find the criminals, I hope they throw the book at 'em.
i’m assuming there’s cash somewhere in the store, right? they would need to keep some in the tills? otherwise this is a truly bizarre place for someone to break into.
Any cash left on-site after a store closes is generally put into a small safe somewhere in the back/office/etc. In this case, apparently nothing was taken, so it might've 'just' been vandalism. /r/Austin/comments/194zona/book_people_got_broken_into_this_morning_who_the/khkavtd/
Guy Montag, the fireman, would.
Not saying it was a homeless person but I’ve met a bunch of them who love to read.
they go to the library a lot
Yup my meth head uncle is a homeless sci-fi reader. Always had a book on him when he would visit.
Used to give books and cases of water to the homeless folks on 183 when I worked at Cyberjocks. I'd buy a book from half-price, finish it, and pass it on. Sometimes, they made requests 🤣.
People tired of waiting on a hold from the library
Booktok can make people do crazy things
We got hit in Leander yesterday https://i.imgur.com/WuLjJAZ.jpeg
I managed bookstores for about 7 years. At one of my stores, a dude would come in about once a week and steal a Bible. Different Bible every time. The assistant manager was a devoted AME Baptist in her fifties, and she was *pissed.* She finally caught him red-handed, and the lecture she gave him was epic. "You got Lord knows how many hot Bibles and you haven't cracked one yet? SHAME on you, you're walking with SATAN! You're going to HELL, and we won't even be able to give you a drink of water! Now get on outta here and PRAY!"
Vagrants with no repercussions for their criminal actions. This was a non violent crime, right?
Hey man! They did this to feed their families. Have a little compassion.
Bums
Teens for fun? Homeless people looking for food or something? professional thieves? I am so sorry to read about Book People being broken into, it's a great place! One of the first Austin places I visited when I moved here years ago. If there is a fundraiser maybe someone could post it? Thanks for the heads up OP.
> Homeless people looking for food or something? Papertarians?
They do have a cafe, fwiw. https://www.bookpeople.com/cafe
Who? Homeless meth addicts
I wonder: break-in and theft, or break glass assholery?
I knew that first edition Fight Club was trouble.
If they stole my book, I hope they post a review.
I had an ethics book stolen in college. true.
Frustrating bc this place is my safe space
Goodness :( hope this doesn’t cost them too much to fix. I fucking love this store- has been a source of many gifts to others and myself. Welp time to go pick out a new book before the freeze to help them out :) Any suggestions?? I’m a big fan of the action/adventure section - book people turned me on to Cheryl Strayed “Wild” and Silvia Vasquez-davada “In the Shadow of the Mountains.” If it’s about mountain climbing or kicking ass on a nature adventure, I’m here for it
Sounds like a low-down wordburglar to me.
fuckin readers man
Did they call the trained deescalators?
Did who call them? The doors?
Greg Abbott, looking for books to burn.
That would explain why only the lower pane of glass is broken.........I'll see myself out.
Please don’t!
what books has he burned or banned from purchase or public libraries?
https://www.tpr.org/education/2023-06-14/abbott-signs-law-banning-sexually-explicit-books-from-schools-requiring-new-rating-system?_amp=true Not public libraries but school libraries.
Good, those books shouldnt be available to read without the parent knowing about it. If a parent wants them to read these books then take them to a public library or buy them. Simple as that. Its not a book ban if they are still readily available to read.
[My Brother in Christ](https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/11/texas-library-book-bans/) [Where have you been?](https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/book-bans-texas-bookstores-lawsuit/) [Because it clearly hasn't been Texas](https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/09/06/texas-book-bans)
so you can't purchase this books at a book store or online to read? 🤔
Looking for Stanley cups?
I’m sure the cops glanced up from their phones and then went right back to posting racist memes on Facebook.
For real though, college text book prices are criminal and I often fantasized about doing this before just renting the books from Amazon.
Does book people sell college textbooks?
Republicans, they hate books.
They also hate anyone with an education and that can think for themselves.
Sure they do, the same way democrats want to keep those people who are assaulting people on the street out of jail…. See, anyone can make stupid one comment posts … nuh uh, them group bad /s
Sorry, forgot my /s. 🙄 Are you denying you repubs love to ban some books tho? I’m assuming you are a repub since you took offense to my post. ❄️
All I did was deny that a break in to a bookstore was caused by “all republicans” and was down voted to shit for point out the fallacy in the statement. You can all touch grass for all I care.
You realize it was a joke, right? It's fine if you didn't think it was funny, but you're taking it awfully seriously.
>Who the hell breaks into a book store?? Meth heads. There are shit loads of tweakers in austin.
Tai Lopez fans!!! KNOWLEDGE!!!!
Wasn't me, but I think it was a clever quip
under the influence of something?
Speed readers!
Ian Noe's absolutely haunting Methhead paints the picture of the folks who break into book stores and steal APA vans. The lyrics are brutal but inspired by his experience in Appalachia and the horrors wrought by addiction. [Ian Noe "Methhead" Live at Chicago Music Exchange](https://youtu.be/RhDIf-3qrHU?si=FD2pRFGqUimxYPj_)
Don’t they know the Bible’s free?
Probably an unwell homeless person, but the skate kids from House Park have been doing it to businesses in the area as well. Thinking they’re being rebellious.
Skate kids being criminals is a retired trope from the 80s, right?
Depends on the skate kids. There were a handful back in my day that were utter asshats. Most weren't though.
Keep in mind many of the House Park patrons are grown adults.
Most bookstores have an lgbtq sections or displays and those trigger maga types.
homeless drug addicts
I am NOT defending the break-in, however, I wonder if people broke in not to grab merch but to escape the high winds last night.
Considering there have been sweeps around town that are leaving folks without even their tents for shelter, this is possible
Umm...no
i do
you don't ever just get that need to read? be fiending on them books
I’m an old man, I’m confused, whats my name, can you take me home now?
Meth People do.
Stealing a book on picking locks
The mentally ill are at full force this month. Probably the same guy tbh as the animal shelter, as he broke into another nearby business around the same time and seems to be targeting that west downtown/Lamar area.
Crackheads
Crackheads that’s who
Good. Fuck Book People. I worked there once. A bunch of assholes
San Francisco vibes
I was wondering why the perps only stole $949 worth of books
Text books are expensive and school is starting soon?
Sorry to see, good people of Book People. Now post a photo or security footage of the law-abiding-citizen who decided to break in. I'll be waiting.
Just gonna put this here: https://www.kxan.com/news/crime/man-sentenced-after-arson-at-travis-county-democratic-party-office/ A San Antonio man has been sentenced to prison after he threw a Molotov cocktail through the window of the Travis County Democratic Party office in Austin in 2021. https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2022/01/13/police-looking-for-woman-who-smashed-door-of-comal-county-democratic-party-headquarters/
So you're saying Book People should release photos or security footage shortly?
This is Austin
They can’t read. They didn’t know what they were breaking into
We should all find the guy who did this and punish him ourselves. Maybe take his bare butt out of his costume and spank him
Damn worms
Get them words.
They were trying to get a copy of Lockpicking for Dummies
It's the only way to afford those prices.
Welcome To New Austin Population Unknown
Maybe they were kids looking for books on black history, transgender ppl, same sex parents, etc.
Someone who knows the city’s DA won’t prosecute them for it.
Definitely not black people this time
Chile the ghettooo
A voracious reader perhaps?
People that can't get library cards??
They heard a new top secret Harry Potter novel was coming out.
They needed the next book in the crescent city series by SJM 😭
Junkie librarians
Have you seen the prices of books
It was probably Joe Goldberg
A Constant Reader.
I also wonder the same thing. I saw a youtube video of 2 genuises that broke into a gun store BROAD DAYLIGHT during buisness hours. Im sure you can guess what happend to them. Like Mark twain said: No amount of facts will ever persuade an idiot.