Monday, October 29, 2012

Gun found in hollowed-out book donated to library

An employee at the Valparaiso, Indiana, branch of the Porter County Public Library made a shocking discovery this week after opening a donated book.

The book, which carries the title "Outerbridge Reach," was hollowed out and contained a historic-looking handgun, according to Valparaiso police. "Somebody just opened it up and said, 'Oh my,'" said Assistant Library Director Phyllis Nelson.



The weapon was described by police as a gold, wooden handled, A.S.M. brand, .31-calibre, single shot, black powder gun. Nelson said she contacted police and told them the book had been donated to the library. Thousands of books are donated each month, she said, and records are not kept, so there is no way of knowing who dropped off the book or when.

Police determined the gun had not been stolen and it is being held as evidence. Nelson said this is not the first time a gun was found in a book donated to the library. There was another incident sometime before she came on staff 12 years ago.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's Valparaiso, INDIANA, not Illinois!

If you followed the link you would know that.

arbroath said...

Oops.

I suppose that's what happens when I post while unwell.

Sandy said...

I get all those "I" states mixed up, too.

sooz said...

I hope you feel better soon, Kev!

arbroath said...

Thanks Sooz!

Anonymous said...

so here is what will happen to the firearm. it will sit on a shelf for about a month and suddenly come up missing. and later sold for a good amount of money that slips into a cops pocket.