Madison police recently busted a man who allegedly used several forms of false identification, including student library cards, to accumulate over $1,000 in late fees on DVDs at a downtown library.
On Nov. 17, staff at the Madison Public Library at 201 W. Mifflin St. alerted police that 52-year-old Mark Rowe had attempted to check out some DVDs using another person's library card, according to a police report.
Police learned it was common for Rowe to use cards that were not his to rent DVDs and sell them at pawnshops or music stores. One library card in Rowe's possession has amassed more than $1,450 in late fees, mostly for unreturned DVDs.
In Rowe's bag, police found several Social Security cards, library cards, wallets, a UW-Madison student's bus pass, jewelry and a six-pack of beer. Police said two victims, including a Madison Area Technical College student, said they had no idea Rowe was using library cards in their name.
Police arrested Rowe at the library and tentatively charged him with theft and a probation hold.
