FROSTBURG — Seven people were charged Wednesday by the C3I Unit in connection with a textbook theft scheme at Frostburg State University.

The investigation by C3I and FSU Police began after university book store employees noticed discrepancies “involving a student employee who had an unusual amount of brand new textbooks returned for cash,” said a C3I spokesman.

Jared Adam Bridges, 22, of Mount Savage had allegedly enlisted the aid of several friends in the theft scheme.

Police said Bridges allegedly provided his friends with brand new textbooks from the book store. The customers would then return the books and were given cash at the used book value. Bridges and the suspects allegedly shared the cash received from the returns.

More than 200 books — worth more than $32,000 —were allegedly taken and returned in the scheme.

Five of the defendants charged with felony theft, conspiracy to commit felony theft and conspiracy to commit felony theft scheme were Bridges; Andrew J. Delaney, 19, Brian R. Kasekamp, 22, and Tyler J. Miller, 19, all of Frostburg; and Ashlee R. Lane, 21, of Barton.

Lauren M. Broadwater, 18, and Nicholas J. Diamond, 18, of Frostburg, were both charged with misdemeanor theft, conspiracy to commit misdemeanor theft and conspiracy to commit misdemeanor theft scheme.

All the defendants were charged by criminal summons. They all remain free, pending their appearance in district court.

A statement on the matter was issued by FSU.

“Frostburg State University is grateful to the alert bookstore employees who acted on their suspicions and brought the case to police attention,” said Liz Medcalf, FSU director of news and media services.

“We are also grateful to C3I, which has been investigating the thefts and the alleged network involved. FSU is in the process of reviewing its processes and policies to make sure they are as tight as is practically possible to make a theft of this kind impossible to repeat. The university has also informed all the necessary state and University System of Maryland officials of this issue and our response to it.”