Do pawnshops take in stolen merchandise?
Every person selling or pawning an item must present a drivers license and additional identification. All items in a pawnshop are recorded and reported to the local police department at the end of each day. This information is then checked and shared with other state and local law enforcement. Additionally, all transaction are recorded by CCTV and this is also available to law enforcement. Theses practices usually discourages persons from selling stolen merchandise to a pawnshop. It is easier for a thief to sell at a local flea market, secondhand shop, construction site, or otherwise on the street. On the rare occasions that it does happen we work closely with police and victims to prosecute the offender.
