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Steve Stoler reports.

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WYLIE — We've all been there — late in returning a DVD or video. But a Wylie video store is taking a hard line, and its tardy customers could end up in handcuffs.

Mike Bell, the owner of Video Hits on Kirby Street, says he's just protecting his livelihood.

The Video Hits rental agreement spells it out very clearly: If movies are not returned within seven days of their due date, you will be charged full retail price and all extra rental days.

Bell went to a Collin County justice of the peace to file paperwork on dozens of his customers who were charged with theft of services.

The court issued arrest warrants for those who failed to pay up.

Some Video Hits customers paid fines of up to $870; others were arrested by the constable.

WFAA-TV

Some customers have paid fines of up to $870.

Under Texas law, a retail business owner must first send customers a certified letter. The customer then has 10 days to return the movie or pay the store.

If he or she doesn't, the owner can file a criminal complaint, which in the case of the Wylie DVD rental shop owner, he did — dozens of times.

The store owner told News 8 that failure to return DVDs hurts his responsible customers.

He said if tardy customers come in and talk to him, he will likely offer them a settlement.

E-mail sstoler@wfaa.com