Posted by Tim Cary on February 27, 2002 at 11:28:13:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Possible stolen VMI on auction site posted by Klaus on February 27, 2002 at 11:05:04:
Pawn Shops tend to operate of the edge of society and usually don't attract savory clientele. Pawn Shops will generally work with the police when requested, for the sake of keeping the loacl authorities from digging to deep or getting their license revoked. However, most goods brought to the Pawn (or fence) came with few questions asked. The dealer doesn't care where the goods came from, and asks for only the most rudimentary forms of identification.
When I was in High School, one time when I was at the music store of choice in town, a man walked in wanted to sell a flute. He had no idea what it was worth, and just wanted some money for it, as his "daughter" no longer played it. This particular store keeps a list of stolen instruments and their serial numbers in the back. The store manager told the man that a repairman had to appraise it, so he took it to the back of the store. The man waited at the counter, and a few minute later two Grand Rapids PD officers walked in and cuffed the guy. As it turned out, the flute was on the stolen list, so the store called the police. Needless to say, it made a rather basic day of purchases and tuba-tweeking interesting...