Kelly Gordon Kleim Arrested for Vandalizing Fredericton Library
A 31-year-old man, Kelly Gordon Kleim, is facing serious charges after an incident at the Fredericton Public Library resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in property damage and theft. Kleim has been charged with theft over $5,000, break and enter, and mischief causing damages over $5,000, following a vandalism spree that occurred over the weekend.
Incident Details and Police Investigation
According to the Fredericton Police Force, officers responded to the library on Carleton Street on Monday morning after reports of extensive property damage and stolen items. Initial estimates suggest the cost of repairs could range between $50,000 and $100,000, a sum that reflects the severity of the damage.
Ben Wolthers, president of the Fredericton Public Library Board, shared his shock upon viewing the damage firsthand, calling the act “senseless” and “heartbreaking.” Wolthers did not disclose specific details, but emphasized the emotional toll it took on the community.
Police soon identified Kleim as the suspect after reviewing footage from local community and public safety cameras. Kleim turned himself in to authorities on Thursday and was arrested without incident.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Kleim faces serious charges, including theft of items worth over $5,000, break and enter into the public facility, and mischief exceeding $5,000 in damages. He was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in court for an initial hearing on Monday.
Currently, the library remains closed, and there is no timeline for when it will reopen. Scott Brown, the manager of Building Services for Fredericton, indicated that the facility would not be operational until the computer systems are fully restored.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to assess the full scope of the damage to the library’s assets.
