What can be done about jewelry that was stolen and purchased by store that buys gold?
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What can be done about jewelry that was stolen and purchased by store that buys gold?
Our house was robbed and most of my jewelry was taken. It was sold to a shop that popped up that buys gold. Can we sue the shop for taking stolen goods? Can we sue the landlord who rented to the tenants that stole from us? Can we also go after the people that stole from us? I am sure that they have nothing, but what can be done?
Asked on January 29, 2012 under Criminal Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
1) You can't sue the landlord--the landlord is NOT responsible for the criminal actions of his/her tenants in a case like this (unless you believe that the landlord helped them commit the crime); for someone to be liable, there must be fault or wrongdoing on that person's part.
2) You can certainly sue the thieves for the value of what they took and for any other damage (e.g. broken window or lock) they caused.
3) You could sue the shop to force them to return the jewlery, if they still have it--people may not keep others' stolen goods.
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