Pawn Shop Raid 02/24/05

The Following is a transcript of Reporter Tim Cassidy`s 11 P.M. Story. TWO PEOPLE ARE IN CUSTODY TONIGHT AND POLICE THERE`S MORE TO COME... THE INITIAL BUST CAME AFTER INVESTIGATORS SEARCHED KINGS ROAD ANTIQUES - A PAWN SHOP WHERE SEVERAL OF THE REPORTED STOLEN ITEMS ARE ON THE SHELVES. STATE POLICE OFFICERS WORK INTO THE NIGHT INSIDE KINGS ROAD ANTIQUES - EACH ITEM IS BEING CAREFULLY LOOKED AT - THE MERCHANDISE IS STOLEN. Trooper James Surmick of the PA State Police in Hazleton tells us, "You name it and they will try to pawn it I think they`d try to pawn their two front teeth if they could" "THEY" ACCORDING TO TROOPER SURMICK ARE MEMBERS OF A BURGLARY RING RECENTLY TARGETING THE AREA Trooper Surmick says "There seems to be a very big drug problem in this area and as a result these people will do things to obtain money to feed their habits" LIKE BREAKING INTO HOMES AS WELL AS CARS - GRABBING THE LOOT THEN SELLING IT HERE AT THE PAWN SHOP - THE OWNER COULD BE IN TROUBLE AS WELL According to Surmick, "New law that requires them to tell police tell the district attorney what items may be sold bought and sold" NO CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED AGAINST THE OWNER OF KINGS ROAD ANTIQUES YET BUT BUSTING UP THIS CRIME RING AND THE INVESIGATION HAVE ONLY JUST BEGUN "This is just the beginning of a very long and intense investigation by members of this barracks to combat this problem" MORE SEARCH WARRANTS ARE BEING ISSUED TONIGHT.. NOW AS FOR THOSE ITEMS FOUND AT THE PAWN SHOP THE TROOPER TELLS US THATS ONE OF THE BEST PARTS OF HIS JOB ONCE THE INVESTIGATION IS OVER THE ITEMS WILL BE RETURNED TO THEIR RIGHTFUL OWNER.