The Minibieb on the Neindseweg in Oostelbeers has been supplemented again. In the night from Saturday to Sunday, nine books were stolen and set on fire. It was not the first time that the minibieb has been struck by vandalism. “But I don’t let myself be out of the field,” reports the Oostelbeersse who provides ‘accounting’.
The police were alerted ‘by Alerte Local residents’ on Saturday night about a suspicious situation at the Leenbibliotheek. Someone would have removed a large number of books there. Immediately a light came on at the police.
“Lately we have had to deal with several small fires in the area. In the Oude Kerk in Middelbeers, for example, but also in a storage container and a mobile toilet. We have one specific person for this, “the police reported on Instagram.
Agents thought they knew who had stolen the books and drove to the house of the 41-year-old suspect. He was not at home. The agents then drove to the Hillestraat. Earlier this year, books had already been set on fire. And there the suspect was found: he was watching flames on his fatbike. Several books were on fire on a tree stump.
The alleged thief and arsonist ran away and thought the police were too fast, but he fell when he rode a tree stump. The man refused to surrender and managed to escape. He was finally arrested at home.
Nine books went up in flames, but the suspect had stolen many more books. They have been reduced by the police. In the meantime, a helping hand was also given from the village. The library is now packed again.
“It is great that such a negative positive can arise from something so negative.”
“I am happy that the police have returned many books. If they had all gone into the Hens, it would have become quite a spectacle, “says the Oostelbeerse, who is also very pleased with the help of local residents. “It is nice that such a negative as a theft and a arson can arise so much positive. We really live here in the midst of a beautiful community. “
She was not surprised by so much involvement for the first time: on January 14, the entire Minibieb was robbed. “Even after that, various books were removed without being restored.” And even after those thefts, she was able to count on help from the neighborhood.
For the time being, the Oostelbeerse can Vooruit: she has a surplus of books: “There is no place empty anymore.”