In the state of MO, if I buy a power tool from a pawn shop and it turns out to be stolen, am I in trouble?

September 30th, 2007 | by admin |
bearcat asked:

With the housing market shot, I see TONS of great buys on power tools in local pawn shops, but I also know the theft rate on this stuff is high…..lots of stuff “disappears” off job sites

Question posted courtesy of: Clinton
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    1. 5 Responses to “In the state of MO, if I buy a power tool from a pawn shop and it turns out to be stolen, am I in trouble?”

    2. By Dina W on Oct 1, 2007 | Reply

      Not if you have a receipt.

    3. By belairjr on Oct 2, 2007 | Reply

      in any state in the union city laws prevail that make pawn shop owners list serial numbers of items to be sold,to check against a hot sheet. if a stolen item happens to get through to you the consumer,this is on the pawn shop owner,not the buyer. however,if you purchase an item off the street or with prior knowledge of its illegal history,then yes,you would be guilty of receiving stolen property.

    4. By novice on Oct 4, 2007 | Reply

      The rule of thumb is that you are not liable if you buy something at a pawnshop and it turns out to be stolen merchandise—if you buy something andd know that it is stolen, or, if you buy something and find out it was stolen and you keep the merchandise, that’s when you can get into trouble. With powertools it is pretty unlikely that you buy stolen ones, or if they are stolen, that they are registered somewhere as stolen–except when they come with a serial number…..

    5. By raichasays on Oct 5, 2007 | Reply

      Generally, no, you’re not, unless you have actual knowledge that it is stolen when you buy it.

      You would be what they call “a bona fide third party purchaser”.

    6. By magicbird on Oct 8, 2007 | Reply

      I agree that he wouldn’t get in trouble, but would he have to relinquish the tools to the police to be returned to their rightful owners and thus bear the cost of their loss?

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