Crime & Safety

Man Who 'Wanted to Read' Newspaper Charged with Stealing Gazette from Front Steps of Sheriff's Office

David James Dillon has been charged with fifth-degree theft and possession of drug paraphernalia. Sheriffs are calling the case the "paper caper."

The Gazette may have stumbled upon material for a new ad campaign: information good enough to go to jail for.

A man who "wanted to read" the newspaper, has been arrested for stealing copies of the Gazette off the front steps of the Linn County Sheriff's Office.

David James Dillon, 50, was charged with fifth-degree theft and possession of drug paraphernalia at around 7:25 a.m. today (Friday). He was caught in the act, according to the department.

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Sheriffs are calling the case the "paper caper."

Authorities observed Dillon taking the copy of the Gazette, and security footage captured him doing the same on Wednesday and Thursday.

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"When asked, Dillon advised deputies that he took the papers merely because he wanted to read them," according to a statement from the department.

During the arrest, deputies found a small red pipe with what is believed to be residue of burnt marijuana.


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