Introduction to the Case
A South Florida woman, Kimberly DeSocio, had her belongings stolen from a storage unit. The stolen items included a collection of dolls that held sentimental value to her. Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) detectives were able to track down her stolen property to a local pawn shop, 2 J’s Pawn & Gun in Davie. However, when Kimberly tried to retrieve her stolen items, she was told she would have to pay for them.
The Theft and Investigation
Kimberly DeSocio is a collector of dolls, including Barbie dolls, and has a huge collection that brings her joy. She rents a storage unit in Dania Beach to store her collection, as she cannot keep it all at home. On July 30, someone broke into her storage unit, and she filed a police report. BSO detectives arrested Michael Shutov, who is charged with burglary and theft. Deputies found some of Kimberly’s belongings at a different storage unit Shutov was renting in Davie, but many items, including a set of sentimental dolls, were still missing.
The Pawn Shop’s Response
BSO detectives found the missing dolls at 2 J’s Pawn & Gun in Davie. When Kimberly went to the pawn shop to retrieve her property, she was told she would have to pay $75 to get her dolls back. She refused, stating that it was her stolen property and she would not pay to buy it back. The pawn shop’s response was not in line with Florida law, which does not require people to pay to retrieve their stolen property from pawn shops.
Resolution and Aftermath
After Kimberly sent a letter to the pawn shop threatening to file a lawsuit, they finally handed over the dolls. Kimberly has stated that it’s all about principle and what’s right and wrong. She is relieved to have her dolls back, but the case is not over, as many of her items are still missing. The owner of 2 J’s Pawn & Gun claimed that having people buy back their stolen property has been a common practice among pawn shops for years, but this is not supported by Florida law.
Conclusion
The case of Kimberly DeSocio’s stolen dolls highlights the importance of understanding the law and standing up for one’s rights. It also raises questions about the practices of some pawn shops and the need for greater awareness and regulation. Kimberly’s experience serves as a reminder to always be vigilant and to take action when necessary to protect one’s property.
FAQs
- Q: What happened to Kimberly DeSocio’s belongings?
A: Her belongings, including a collection of dolls, were stolen from a storage unit in Dania Beach. - Q: Where were the stolen dolls found?
A: The stolen dolls were found at 2 J’s Pawn & Gun in Davie. - Q: What did the pawn shop ask Kimberly to do to retrieve her dolls?
A: The pawn shop asked Kimberly to pay $75 to get her dolls back. - Q: Is it legal for a pawn shop to charge someone to retrieve their stolen property?
A: No, according to Florida law, people do not have to pay to get their stolen property back from pawn shops. - Q: What is the current status of the case?
A: The case is not over, as many of Kimberly’s items are still missing, and she is hoping to recover the rest of her collection.
