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MEDFORD Medford police seek new rules to stop sales of stolen goods Second-hand dealers could face charges if they buy stolen items Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 18, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 18, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Second-hand dealers who knowingly buy stolen goods could face charges if the Medford City Council follows through with a recommendation by police. The city is exploring relaxing some rules and strengthening others for second-hand dealers, consignment shops and pawn shops as part of an effort to improve an ordinance passed last year to give police more tools to recover stolen items. Starting March 22, the city required pawn shops and second-hand dealers to take photos of anything of value, though the ordinance doesn’t specify a minimum dollar amount. The ordinance met with opposition from pawn shops, but many second-hand dealers were unaware the new law would apply to them as well. Police this week recommended the council establish a minimum $20 value requirement to help second-hand dealers who objected to taking photos of items that have minimal value. The photos are sent to Leads OnLine, a database system that police use to scan for stolen items. Under the proposed ordinance, consignment shops would be removed from the list of stores required to submit information about items brought in because crooks want to sell their items immediately. “They want to convert the property to cash, and they can’t there,” police Detective Sgt. Brent Mak said. He said consignment shops haven't had problems with stolen goods. To strengthen the existing ordinance, Medford police want the city to make it illegal to knowingly buy items that appear to be obtained by theft. Police have recommended the council add additional language into the ordinance to alert stores that they have a responsibility to not buy stolen goods: “A person commits theft by receiving if the person receives, retains, conceals or disposes of property of another, knowing or having good reason to know that the property was the subject of theft,” Mak said. From the beginning of the year through April 2, 158 items have been reported stolen, and Medford police have recovered 129. In 18 instances, photos taken by pawn shops helped locate the stolen item. Mak said his department has supplied cameras and training to local pawn shops to help them meet the new requirements. The businesses include Valley Pawn, Oregon Cash Company, Father and Sons Jewelers, Alexander’s Coin and Stamp, Goldsmith’s and Good Guys Guns. Local retailers such as Macy’s, Fred Meyer and the Grange Coop have all reported items stolen from their stores, and Medford police have tracked many of those items to local second-hand clothing stores. For instance, on Feb. 19, a female suspect was arrested for selling stolen jeans to a second-hand store. According to police, the suspect sold five “Miss Me” jeans valued at $102 each to a second-hand store on Feb. 18, and then again on Feb. 19. Police determined the jeans were stolen from the Grange Co-op. The suspect was paid $18 for each pair by the second-hand store. On Aug. 18, 2014, a second-hand store purchased two pairs of brand new jeans valued at $80 for $9.30 each. Mak said the security tags and sensors were still on the jeans, which set off the security alarm when the suspect walked into the second-hand store. Mak said most stores work closely with police. He said one store, Kid to Kid, hasn’t had any instances where stolen goods have ended up on the shelf. Mak said the store's policy of giving only store credit to someone who brings in new goods has proved a deterrent to crooks looking for instant cash. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at @reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 18, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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