Taipei  - A Taiwan bookstore is trying to catch a book thief who not only steals books, but also leaves cards in the store's books with tips on how to steal books.

The Eslite Bookstore, Taiwan's largest bookstore chain, said Wednesday that since April, someone has been leaving printed cards in books in several of its stores, with tips on how to steal.

"By printing such cards, this person has violated Clause 153 of the Criminal Bill, encouraging people to commit crimes. We warn this person to stop doing this and warn the public not to try the tips," Eslite said in a statement.

Under Taiwanese law, the maximum penalty for encouraging people to commit crime is seven years' imprisonment.

Eslite has some 50 stores across Taiwan, including one in Taipei which is open around the clock.

The stores attract local and foreign visitors because with a good stock of Chinese-language and foreign-language books and magazines, and allow customers to sit and read even if they do not buy.(dpa)