My grandmother had her jewelry “stolen” (I honestly believe she has misplaced it) but she swears that she has looked up and down for it. She realized it was missing roughly 2 months ago and didn’t say anything because she wanted to look for it. I’ve been calling around to local pawn shops and asking if anything that resembles the ring has came along, all but one stated it didn’t sound in the least bit familiar. So the one that said it did stated that it was indeed sold, when we asked if he had the sellers info he stated that he did not take his ID to buy it from him. So my question is, is she kinda screwed at this point? If he didn’t ID him we can’t find out who sold it so is she just down and out? She has the cops involved now but I’m afraid it’s to late.
Answers & Comments
It is sort of amazing that a pawn dealer would implement himself with possibly stolen property. If the cops are involved, they can get the video that the pawn dealer has and the records of the sale. All of that is recorded including a driver's license, etc. There are laws about pawning merchandise. But, my guess you will find the property in the pawn shop is not your grandmothers ring. Also note that the ring still belongs to your grandmother regardless of who or how it was bought. Find out what the cops will do with the lead you have furnished.
If the cops are involved you should be asking them. Or do you really think that someone here knows more than they do?
Did granny have insurance and/or photographs? Maybe photos of her wearing the stuff.
Bad people prey on older folk knowing that they are easy to steal from. This could have been done by anybody that had a reason to be at the house. Your best bet is the police. Sometimes they catch a fence and will then allow you to see if anything of your grandmother's is in the haul. Of course if she has claimed on insurance, she will have to pay that back if she recovers the jewelry.
Even if she knew it was stolen yesterday and had pictures of the burglar there's very little the cops can do about it.
And this is about a crime that may - or may not - have taken places 2 months ago?
I don't think the jewelry was stolen. Otherwise she would have seen signs of a break-in and there would be other items missing.
Also, if it was stolen, most thieves are smart enough to NOT go to local pawn shops near the house - there's too much chance that the homeowner (you) would call there looking for the items. Instead the thief would go 1 or 2 towns over and sell the stuff there.