Sheriff’s detectives are continuing an investigation into the source of allegedly stolen property discovered at E-Z Money Pawn Shop, located at 2640 US-1 South.
As previously reported by Historic City News, the pawn broker, Ben Ellis of Lake City, has been under investigation while detectives accumulated sufficient evidence to obtain the search warrant that was executed Tuesday morning.
“Detectives have seized at least 200 items of new merchandise, purchased by the pawn shop for cash, obtained from individuals who appear to have stolen the property,” Kevin Kelshaw, spokesman for the St Johns County Sheriff’s Office, reported. “The retail value of the merchandise in question is over $30,000.”
Among the items seized were air conditioners, chain saws, and flat screen televisions.
Detectives are working to determine the identity of the property’s rightful owners. Loss prevention officers from Target and Home Depot have participated in the two-day inventory process called for in the search warrant.
If any of the merchandise inspected in this raid can be verified as stolen, the pawn broker is in jeopardy of losing his entire investment. State law provides that the property is to be returned to the proper owner.
St Augustine Police detectives, the Florida Department of Agriculture, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and agents of the Internal Revenue Service have also assisted in cataloging the suspected merchandise.
Charges are pending further investigation which is continuing.
Discover more from HISTORIC CITY NEWS
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.