Police Link Pawn Shop Items to Robberies in 13 States

By: Associated Press | WSLS
Published: January 28, 2008

DANVILLE, W.Va. (AP) - Authorities say guns, power tools and other items found at a Boone County pawn shop have been linked to thefts in West Virginia and 12 other states, including Virginia.
The Boone County Sheriff's Department said the investigation began last month after police received a tip that there was possible stolen material at Britton's Gun & Pawn in Danville.
After searching the shop, police say they found various items linked to burglaries and larcenies in Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Montana, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Michigan and Virginia, according to a news release from Boone County Sheriff Rodney Miller.
One arrest has been made and more are expected.
Jerry Wayne Messer, 25, has been held on multiple charges at the Southwestern Regional Jail since his Dec. 31 arrest. He is charged with transferring stolen property, nighttime burglary and grand larceny in connection with a Dec. 29 burglary, and also two transferring stolen property charges from a Nov. 9 burglary allegation.
The release says the other West Virginia counties affected by the probe are Cabell, Fayette, Harrison, Jackson, Lincoln, Logan, Taylor, Wayne and Wyoming.
The Boone County Sheriff's Department is working with Danville and Madison police, State Police and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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