Recovering Stolen Goods in MT Pawn Shops: What You Need to Know

Hey Kids, Wanna Hear A Robbery Story From The 1900's In Montana?

Way back in the day, in the late 1900's, I lived in Cloud 9 Apartments.  I went out to the Beacon with my pal, Lisa (who was also my neighbor at Cloud 9), and when we got home, we discovered I'd been robbed.

(Keep in mind, nobody had a cell phone filled with pictures of all of their belongings in 1989-1990.  There was no way to really keep track of that except for writing down the serial number.)

We called the police and filed a report.  They then told me to check pawn shops and let them know what I found.

I did find my TV (13 magnificent inches, I'll have you know) and my microwave my dad gave me from the farm.  Thing is, I had no way of proving they were mine. That is where my story of being robbed ends because I never got them back.

LOOK: Montana Home One Of The Most Expensive In USA

What Happens If A Pawn Shop Accidentally Buys Stolen Merchandise?

From Yundle, 

"Montana Code Annotated
Title 45. Crimes (Refs & Annos)
Chapter 6. Offenses Against Property
Part 3. Theft and Related Offenses

45-6-314. Theft by disposal of stolen property

A pawnbroker or dealer who buys and sells secondhand merchandise and allows stolen property to be sold, bartered, or otherwise disposed of after a peace officer has requested the pawnbroker or dealer to hold the property for 30 days, as provided in 46-5-212, commits the offense of theft as defined in 45-6-301."

Also from Yundle:

"Montana Code Annotated
Title 46. Criminal Procedure
Chapter 5. Search and Seizure (Refs & Annos)
Part 2. Search Warrants

46-5-212. Pawnbroker to surrender stolen property--warrant

(1) When a peace officer informs a pawnbroker or dealer who buys and sells secondhand merchandise that property pawned to or purchased by the pawnbroker or dealer is stolen property, as defined in 45-2-101, the pawnbroker or dealer who buys and sells secondhand merchandise shall hold the property for 30 days upon issuance of an administrative warrant by a peace officer. Following the expiration of the 30-day period, the pawnbroker or dealer shall surrender the property to the peace officer upon demand. The peace officer shall give the pawnbroker or dealer a receipt for any property surrendered by the pawnbroker or dealer. During the 30-day period, the pawnbroker or dealer may appeal the validity of the administrative warrant in justice's court or in municipal court.
(2) As used in this section, “administrative warrant” means a warrant:
(a) issued by the administrative head, or the administrative head's designee, of the investigating agency of the jurisdiction;
(b) that describes the property to be held; and
(c) that states that the pawnbroker or dealer shall hold the property for 30 days from the date of receipt."

I wanted to post what it says legally, just in case I get it wrong. To me, this says a pawn broker needs to hold the property back for 30 days when law enforcement tells them the merchandise may be stolen.  Then, after the 30 days, they have to give it to law enforcement and they'll get a receipt for the merchandise.

What Happens If You Run Over a Goose?

What I Learned From Being Robbed

Keep a record of your things.  Keep pictures of your things.  Is there a distinguishing mark on your appliance?  Make sure you have a record of it.  You need to be able to prove it's yours to get it back. Don't let that be the day you wish you had insurance.