Arrest made in library break-in case
Fredericton police say investigators were able to identify Kelly Gordon Kleim, 31, from video
A Fredericton man has been arrested and charged with counts stemming from a break-in at the Fredericton Public Library that outraged the community.
The Fredericton Police Force issued a news release Friday, reporting that Kelly Gordon Kleim, 31, of Fredericton, was arrested this week and charged in connection with the Monday break-in at the library on Carleton Street.
He appeared in Fredericton provincial court by telephone from the city police station cellblock Thursday afternoon, and was charged with counts of break and enter, mischief causing more than $5,000 in damage to property and theft of items in excess of $5,000 in value.
Crown prosecutor Patricia Gillett objected to his release, and Judge Mary Jane Richards remanded him pending a bail hearing, which she scheduled for Monday.
The break-in at the downtown library occurred in the early-morning hours of Monday, with police responding to the scene at about 6:40 a.m. after receiving a report of an alarm at the building.
The police force and city hall both reported this week that in addition to a shattered pane of glass near the entrance, there was extensive damage throughout the library.
Initially, it was felt nothing was stolen in the break-in, and that vandalism appeared to be the intent.
But in Friday’s news release, the police force noted that as the investigation unfolded, officers learned there had been some theft as well.
“Also during the course of the investigation, including the review of video footage from community and public safety cameras, police identified Kleim as the suspect,” the release said.
“He presented himself to police on Oct. 3 and was subsequently arrested.”
Scott Brown, manager of building services for the City of Fredericton, told reporters this week that among the damage was the spraying and emptying of all fire extinguishers in the library, water damage from a water fountain being ripped from a wall and faucets being left on to overflow, destruction and damage to computers and monitors, and broken drywall and gyprock from a perpetrator breaking through walls.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.