Elisabeth M. Weiss arrested for not returning video tape.

**malq** · October 3rd, 2009, 03:20 PM

A woman's past caught up with her Tuesday when she was arrested for not returning movies she checked out more than a decade ago.

According to a charge filed in September 1998, Elisabeth M. Weiss of Iowa City rented three videotapes -- "U-Turn," "Devil's Advocate" and "Bio Hunter" -- on May 23, 1998. The woman rented the tapes from the now defunct Hagen's Video, police said. According to police, the videotapes were due the next day, but Weiss never returned them.

As of Sept. 3, 1998, the videotapes were not returned and an Iowa City Police detective contacted Weiss and asked her to return them. Weiss told the detective she would take back the videotapes but never did so.

According to the criminal complaint, the total value of the movies and late fees is $231.97.

Iowa City Police Sgt. Troy Kelsay was unaware of what led to Weiss's arrest on the 11-year-old warrant. Kelsay said Weiss was picked up by authorities outside the area.

Weiss was charged with fourth-degree theft. She was taken to the Johnson County Jail, posted a cash bond and was released an hour later.

A phone number for Weiss could not be found and she could not be reached for comment.

http://www.press-citizen.com/article...910010322/1079

**drkeegee** · October 3rd, 2009, 03:32 PM

I hope this is one of those cases where the police hold someone on an otherwise 'bogus' yet technically legitimate charge while they investigate a more serious charge. Otherwise - get real.

**sheevaa** · October 3rd, 2009, 03:47 PM

Agreed, otherwise I'm going to start looking through my vids and library books:P

**Pete Bondurant** · October 3rd, 2009, 04:47 PM

According to a charge filed in September 1998, Elisabeth M. Weiss of Iowa City rented three videotapes -- "U-Turn," "Devil's Advocate" and "Bio Hunter" --

The real crime here is that she rented a Keanu Reeves film.

**Uvgottabkiddin** · October 3rd, 2009, 09:24 PM

: what are u in for?

hit and run....

aggravated assault...

murder....

not returning movies

**Dakota Valkyrie** · October 3rd, 2009, 09:37 PM

She could run to France for a while...

**Awhell** · October 4th, 2009, 01:32 AM

Ya know, just a few weeks ago I read about a woman that had the sheriff come to her house and arrest her for not returning a library book about 15 years ago.
I can see why law enforcement is so worried about this...those who can commit the crime of stealing from our local libraries and rental stores must be capable of murder someday.

Gotta love the sarcastic "You gotta be kidding" mug.

**Dneilz** · October 4th, 2009, 08:46 AM

What a waste of police resources. After 7 years, I thought an uncollected debt couldn't be collected?

**Dakota Valkyrie** · October 4th, 2009, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by Dneilz

What a waste of police resources. After 7 years, I thought an uncollected debt couldn't be collected?

Why would "doing your job" be a waste of police resources? Maybe they clear old cases on their down time? I doubt Iowa City, Iowa is a hotbed of crime. Maybe they give the easy crap to rookies for practice?

The cops are not debt collectors but if the company filed criminal theft charges against her, the cops, as part of their job, have to investigate and arrest. I wonder if there isn't a statute of limitations on that, though. I suppose it depends on Iowa law.

I do wonder why they bothered.