A blog about Health & Wellness and Personal Journals.
Real Name: betsy gillard Gender: female Member Since: November 30, 1999 Last Signed In: October 03, 2008 Profile Views: 2306 Blog Views: 2589 NAMIWALKS for the Mind of America Ghost Towns BULLIES IN THE WORK PLACE Puppy Bowl IV Pizza War Good reading weather Monday Blues Pawn Shops New Class starting Tehachapi Rambling November 06 December 06 January 07 February 07 March 07 April 07 May 07 June 07 July 07 August 07 September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 
RSS 2.0    |
|
|
Pawn Shops
My house was burglarized June 2006. The local meth lowlife stole every piece of jewelry regardless of value from me. I went to our local pawn shop last week and staring at me were two of my rings. Guess what- I called the police and a sheriff met me at our local pawn shop and yes the first thing our local pawn shop owner says when he pulls the pawn slip is"this woman who brought these in is a real lowlife". Well I was told by this sheriff that I had to BUY my own STOLEN rings back at our local pawn shops asking price! Well of course I paid but I am so angry . Does this sound like a fair deal to any of you? Have you heard of this? So I guess if they find known stolen merchandise at the pawn shop the victum of the crime will have to buy back their stuff. The sheriff said sad but true.
15 comments from 10 users
1
posted by
bigdog
on Jan 7, 2008 at 10:10 AM
One more reason to put drug addicts in jail if you ask me. Some people want drugs legalized and druggies handled with kid gloves. I say BS. My Friend Pat had her house burglarized on thanksgiving and all of her jewelry was stolen . The state of California is considering releasing early 20,000+ low level inmates from prison. Druggies are considered low level inmates and these are the ones that commit these types of crimes to support their addiction. I am all for giving a person one chance but after that they need to be held responsible for their actions. Having to buy back your own Jewelry is wrong. Why does a pawn shop that buys stolen property have more rights then the victim. Something is wrong here. You are being victimized twice.
posted by
scottso
on Jan 7, 2008 at 10:16 AM
If you can prove that those rings belonged to you, I think you were mislead. I'm not a lawyer, but I'm almost 100% sure that if you are in possession of stolen merchandise, you are required to return it to its legitimate owner, irregardless if you paid for it or not. There was just recently an article in the papers about a woman who found a stolen painting in a dumpster worth millions of dollars. When the original owner got wind of it, he rightfully had it returned.
posted by
gillfish
on Jan 7, 2008 at 10:51 AM
My husband just talked to the sheriff involved and he said that I could have had him impound it as evidence. Well my question to the Chief Sheriff Deputy is this-Why didn't you tell me this? Did you not want extra work to do as you have told both Pat and I that you are understaffed? I just am so so outraged once again.
posted by
gube
on Jan 7, 2008 at 11:04 AM
understaffed is just a fancy word for laziness. posted by
olebluelight
on Jan 7, 2008 at 11:06 AM
I'm a retired 30 year Police officer. If you filed a police report when your house was burglarized with an accurate description of the items, the deputy was legally bound to seize these items from the pawn shop as evidence, along with a copy of the pawn slip. The detectives should have then followed up and interviewed woman who pawned them and unless she could prove how and from whom she received them, charge her with "Possession of Stolen Property". Once any court case was over, the items would then be returned to you. Quite frequently, a simple lead like this leads to many burglaries in an area being solved. I don't know all the circumstances, but with the limited info. given, you were the victim of a deputy too busy or lazy to do his job. posted by
gillfish
on Jan 7, 2008 at 11:27 AM
So what can I do?
posted by
scottso
on Jan 7, 2008 at 01:44 PM
If nothing else I would ask the sheriff to cover your cost of purchasing back your stolen goods and if he declines, look into small claims court. Or talk to a lawyer but that will probably cost more than what you paid for your rings, unfortunately. :(
posted by
giraffefairie
on Jan 7, 2008 at 02:01 PM
File a Complaint!! Call the Sheriff's Office in Bakersfield and lodge a complaint. If they don't take you seriously, Contact the Grand Jury!!
posted by
CharleyBird
on Jan 7, 2008 at 04:33 PM
Gillfish, I believe that the owner of our local pawn shop - Aaron, what was his last name ? is obviously without morals, knowing from the start that the person who brought him your earrings was a real low life, should have at the LEAST sold tham back to you for the price he paid, NOT at a profit !! Personally if I were Aaron what's his name I'd be embarassed to show my face in town, and if I were his family I'd be embarrased to be his wife or kids. He needs to step up and do the decent and morally right thing and refund your money. Lastly, oleblulight said the deputy should have impounded the earrings from the start and then went and arrested the scum - oh I'm sorry i meen the low life girl. posted by
gillfish
on Jan 7, 2008 at 04:33 PM
Well thank you all for your outrage and advice. I have just filled out a complaint form for the Kern county grand Jury. I hope it helps.
posted by
KKCrumpton
on Jan 8, 2008 at 12:35 PM
SO LET US ALL BOYCOTT THE PAWNSHOP!!! THEY ARE AS BAD AS ANY LOW-LIFE THEY SERVE. MAYBE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR IS IN ORDER SO MANY MORE CITIZENS CAN HEAR YOUR PLIGHT! Keep us posted on the outcome I am really curious on how these people plan on rectifying the situation. Good Luck! posted by
gillfish
on Jan 8, 2008 at 12:48 PM
I would boycott it if it were an establishment I did business with. I just want people realize how messed up this law is that protects the criminal not the victim of a crime. Thanks KK.
posted by
ProgressoDasani
on Jan 9, 2008 at 07:40 AM
Yeah, how can I boycott someplace I never go? gillfish, please update us on the response you get from the sherriff's office. I'd like to see their explaination of the bogus information the deputy gave you. This idea that stolen items are "home free" once they reach a pawn shop is a figment of the deputy's imagination. Have you called the editor to discuss this? It ought to be a news story. posted by
gillfish
on Jan 9, 2008 at 08:59 AM
Pawnshops have powerful lobbists according to the sheriff. Yes, home free to sell stolen merchandise is what the Pawn Shops can do legally. Even though I proved it was my stolen rings! This does need local coverage. I will be writing the editor. Aaron Maudlin should be ashamed. He calls his place "Jewelry and Loan". Thats another name for doing business with criminals. Pawn Shop is what he is.
posted by
mysoulishome
on Jan 15, 2008 at 09:05 PM
I'm not ashamed of myself, but I am sorry for your loss.I am not sure if in this case the sheriff's could seize the property, but believe me that buying it back is easier and quicker. Since 2001 when I opened the shop there has only been 1 case in which items were seized, held by law enforcement, and then awarded to the proper party by a judge after a trial and all that. It took over two years
1
|