Rare Law Volume Stolen From U.C. Student's Locker

From the Oakland Tribune

December 14, 1923

A rare law book printed 250 years ago was stolen from the University of California law school yesterday and the police are searching for the “book-collector” thief.  The ancient volume was taken from the locker of one of the students and professors of the school declare that it cannot be replaced.

“The thief evidently knew that the book was of great value,” Walter Gleason, president of the student association said today.  “Nothing else was taken from the locker and the book was in such bad repair that an ordinary thief would overlook it.”

According to Professor Max Radin the book was printed in 1686 and was being used by a student in preparing to write a thesis for a doctor’s degree.  He values the book at $200, but does not believe that a duplicate copy can be secured.

A number of other articles were taken from the law school yesterday, according to Gleason.  Edward Estill, a second-year student, reported that his locker had been opened and $10 in currency taken from his coat.  Another student had $15 taken from his locker and a number of books were stolen.

LEGAL STUDENTS TRAP THIEF, THEN HAVE HIM FREED

From the Bulletin

March 19, 1924

After applying legal logic to solving a mystery and catching a thief, law students of the University of California today turned tender-hearted, habeas corpused the victim out of jail, and sent him home on probation.

The thief, according to Berkeley police officials, should have known better than to have selected the overcoats of budding young attorneys for criminal activities.  After a number of thefts, the embryo barristers laid down “Greenleaf on Evidence,” and other standard works, and applied their acumen to a trap.

The sum of $40 was placed in a coat and the coat put under watch.  A former law student was seen to take the money.  The legal staff turned him over to the police.

Later they asked that he be reprimanded and sent home on probation, which was done.