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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
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    1

    Default Theft of Jewelry

    My question involves criminal law for the state of: Pennsylvania

    A family member recently had some jewelry stolen from his house. He suspected that a "friend" stole the jewelry, confronted him, and he confessed. The jewelry was sold to a local "Cash for Gold" store earlier that week. (I don't have exact dates, but this all happened within a week.) The confession was verbal but was later followed up with several text messages clearly stating that jewelry was stolen and sold to a specific "Cash for Gold" store. The text messages were detailed.

    The "Cash for Gold" store has records of the sale but is not providing any help.

    My family member reported the theft to the local police department. A detective is working on the case. He has not contacted the detective for an update. ("let him do his job")

    I advised my family member to do the following:
    - don't talk to the suspected "friend" or anyone else about this case (other than police)
    - don't respond to any text messages from the suspected "friend"
    - send screenshots of all text messages to me for backup, just in case, however I assume that there would be a record of these messages from wireless providers

    We are wondering how to proceed:
    - Is there any chance of getting the jewelry back? PA law states store must hold for 5 days. The store was not helpful, and I suspect that the jewelry is gone, but perhaps a visit from the police or a threatening letter from a lawyer would result in some action.
    - Should we expect criminal charges to be filed against the "friend?" I don't know if we would have a say in pressing charges or not. If yes, what criminal charges would be likely? Do we need to take any action here?
    - How would we proceed with a civil case against the "friend?" I'm not sure that small claims court would be sufficient considering the the cost of the jewelry.

    Any advice is appreciated!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
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    Default Re: Theft of Jewelry

    Quote Quoting cxp
    View Post
    Is there any chance of getting the jewelry back? PA law states store must hold for 5 days. The store was not helpful, and I suspect that the jewelry is gone, but perhaps a visit from the police or a threatening letter from a lawyer would result in some action.
    Why aren't the police seizing the jewelry as evidence?
    Quote Quoting cxp
    Should we expect criminal charges to be filed against the "friend?"
    Your friend can talk to the investigating officer if he wants to know the status of the investigation.
    Quote Quoting cxp
    I don't know if we would have a say in pressing charges or not. If yes, what criminal charges would be likely?
    That will depend on what facts the police are able to assemble.
    Quote Quoting cxp
    Do we need to take any action here?
    Who is "we"? Your friend either needs to decide to get on board with prosecution, or deal with the fact that it may not happen. If he has insurance he can file a claim, but the insurance company is going to want the thief to be prosecuted.
    Quote Quoting cxp
    How would we proceed with a civil case against the "friend?" I'm not sure that small claims court would be sufficient considering the the cost of the jewelry.
    We have no information on the value of the jewelry. If he wants to file in small claims court, waiving the value above the small claims limit, it's pretty easy. If he wants to file in a regular trial court he should consider retaining a lawyer. We have no way of telling you how capable he would be representing himself, and from what you have shared he seems rather indifferent to punishing his leading suspect.

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