Stolen Property Owner Frustrated By Pawn Shops' Rights

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Police arrested one of two alleged thieves for stealing an $8,300 lawnmower, but the rightful owner may have to wait until 2010 to get his machine back.

Tools For A Time sells industrial strength lawn equipment to professionals and homeowners from its store at Old St. Augustine Road and I-295.

But police say last Friday they were ripped off by a former customer. The whole caper was captured on surveillance video.

Police say 44-year-old Charles Gailey, who bought a big mower here a few months ago, pulled up in front of the store blocking the view of clerks inside. Police say he went in to distract the staff while his passenger, identified as Lucas Roberts, drove a new $8,300 lawnmower up behind the trailer, eventually loading it up and driving off.

Tolls For A Time owner Geoff Youngblood was outraged when he called police, providing them with his surveillance video that included the suspect's name and phone number from signs on the side of his truck and trailer.

According to the JSO report, after Charles Gailey was arrested, he confessed that he and Lucas Roberts pawned the mower at Value Pawn on University Boulevard for $2,500.

Police and Youngblood followed up, but under Florida law, the pawn shop didn't have to give the stolen mower up.

The manager of Value Pawn referred First Coast News to his corporate office out of state, but they did not return our call for comment on the matter.

At 2 p.m. Wednesday, police were back at Value Pawn to seize the stolen merchandise. But Youngblood is upset that he now may have to wait months to get his mower back.

"It is frustrating to know that you can take stolen items to a pawn shop and immediately sell them for money and the pawn shop doesn't have to legally return them to you until there is a police report written!"

Youngblood hopes to have new laws passed to offer more protection to theft victims like him when it comes to pawn shops found with stolen merchandise.

"Pawn shops are afforded the opportunity to recover their money back. In this case they've lost $2,500 on an $8,300 machine," said Youngblood.

"So from my understanding as now, it sits at the Sheriff's Department until the disposition of the case, and they are waiting to hear what happens, how many people are going to be arrested, what takes place in a situation in court, and THEN I may be able to get my merchandise back!"

Police are still looking for Charles Gailey's alleged accomplice in this case. If you know the whereabouts of Lucas Roberts, you are urged to call our partner, First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.

You can remain anonymous and you could be eligible for a cash reward.