Writer Accused of Book Thefts

Novelist and onetime Oscar-nominee Jerry Hasford pleaded innocent today to felony charges of theft and possession of hundreds of stolen books from libraries in the United States and England.

Hasford, co-writer of the screenplay for the 1987 movie “Full Metal Jacket,” was taken into custody after appearing before Municipal Court Judge James Ream, but defense attorney Orlan Donley indicated the $7,500 bail would be posted, said Deputy District Attorney Terry Estrada-Mullaney. The charges stemmed from the discovery of nearly 10,000 books in a storage locker rented to Hasford, but involve only a portion of the volumes.