Published: April 03, 2008 11:39 pm      

Newspaper racks getting ripped off

The Meridian Star posts reward

For those individuals who have been for the past three weeks stealing newspaper racks and making off with a pocket full of quarters, the stakes just went up.

Eleven Meridian Star racks and an undetermined number of USA Today racks have been stolen only to be found later with the change boxes missing. Racks for the Clarion Ledger, the state's largest newspaper, have been broken into on the spot and emptied of their money.

The problem has gotten to the point where The Meridian Star Publisher, Crystal Dupre`, has placed a reward for anyone providing authorities with information leading to the arrest of those responsible.

"We will give one hundred dollars or a year's free subscription to the newspaper for help in this matter," said Dupre` Thursday afternoon. "We would certainly appreciate the help of the public."

Officials with the City of Meridian and the Meridian Police Department have already been made aware of this rash of thefts.

According to Mark Overby, who supervises the placement and maintenance of the racks, and the recovery of money from the machines, nine of the 11 Star racks have been recovered. He added the majority of the thefts to all three newspapers have occurred from 22nd Avenue in the downtown area, north on Eighth Street to the College Park section of Hwy. 19 North.

Only one Star rack outside the city limits has been stolen in the three-week period.

If you have information pertaining to these thefts you are urged to contact the MPD. If you observe anyone driving around Meridian with a rack in their vehicle, you are advised not to approach this person but rather make note of the make and model of the vehicle and especially the tag number. You can then contact local law enforcement with your information at (601) 485-1861.

"There are very few of us at the Star who would be driving around with a rack in the back of their vehicle, especially early in the morning hours when we believe these thefts are happening," Overby said.