The book thief

After running out of the school’s bookstore and shoving an officer, a man suspected of stealing a book was apprehended at Pierce College Monday, according to the bookstore’s warehouse manager.

David Ayala, who was working at the time, said he called police after he noticed the suspect and tried to talk him down.

“I gave him a couple of chances,” Ayala said. “I know the books are expensive.”

Ayala usually works in the bookstore’s warehouse. But, because they’re short-staffed, he was on the sales floor when he saw the suspect pacing between aisles, Ayala said.

“Why we need more student workers is to deter that kind of action,” Ayala said. “With workers all over the place you won’t do that.”