Pawn Shop Question - missing ring

Average Joe

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5:36p, 12/28/25

AG

If I remember correctly, there are a few on this board that are involved in the pawn shop business, and I had a couple of questions about how to handle a lost wedding ring. If I'm not remembering correctly, then feel free to let this just fall off the board.

Long story short, wife lost her wedding ring. The only place she went was to HEB and back home. She realized it was missing when she was on the way back home. We've alerted HEB, and have exhausted all options in the car (including removing the front seats) and house. At this point I think the likelihood is that it's in someone's possession or at a pawn shop.

We filed a missing property report with CSPD with pictures and a few very unique characteristics of the ring. There would be no question it was ours if we found it.

My question is basically what are my next steps. Do the shops see the missing property reports? I've visited a few to see if it was already pawned, so should I keep doing that? If I find it at a shop, what's the best way to handle it?

To me, it's ultimately just money because I can have it remade pretty easily by the original jeweler. However, it's obviously her original wedding and engagement ring, so there is a lot more sentimental value. I know my chances of finding it at this point are basically 0%. We're definitely in the "looking for a miracle" domain at this point, and I completely understand that. I just want to make sure I am doing everything I can to make those odds increase as much as possible.

R2Fish

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7:39p, 12/28/25

Once a pawnshop buys it - there's normally a database/list sent the local officials that screen it. That's how it used to be.

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maroon barchetta

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7:42p, 12/28/25

Which HEB? You could send that info to Rusty Surrette and see if he will post it on FB for people to keep an eye out

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SteveBott

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8:02p, 12/28/25

AG

The poster "Yesterday" is in the business. Hopefully he sees the thread and give the advice you need

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Bronco6Gen

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12:53p, 12/29/25

Been out of the pawn game for a long time. There is supposed to be a report given to the police by the pawn shop for purchased items. Detectives are supposed to check the list against reported STOLEN items. Your ring was not stolen, it was lost so they are under no obligation to help you with the pawn shops. Your best bet is to go directly to the pawn shops and ask them to buy it if it comes in and you'll make it worth their time. Do NOT tell them it was stolen, as they are forbidden to knowingly purchase stolen merchandise.

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Yesterday

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In reply to Bronco6Gen • 2:17p, 12/29/25

AG

Bronco6Gen said:
Been out of the pawn game for a long time. There is supposed to be a report given to the police by the pawn shop for purchased items. Detectives are supposed to check the list against reported STOLEN items. Your ring was not stolen, it was lost so they are under no obligation to help you with the pawn shops. Your best bet is to go directly to the pawn shops and ask them to buy it if it comes in and you'll make it worth their time. Do NOT tell them it was stolen, as they are forbidden to knowingly purchase stolen merchandise.

This is still pretty accurate. Unfortunately someone picking up a ring in the parking lot is finders keepers as apposed to someone taking it from your wife's purse or jewelry box. Morally this isn't right but morality and the law don't always see eye to eye.

For starters, when someone "pawns" an item they're not selling it, they're asking for a loan against said item. Most stores have a two month minimum for their pawns so even if they did pawn it, you wouldn't see it out on the retail floor for at least 60 days. If they sell it then there is a 21 day waiting period where pawnshops are required to hold the item for law enforcement purposes...so again, you wouldn't see it on the retail floor for at least three weeks.

Most pawnshops report to a database called Leadsonline.com. Every item we bought or pawned at our stores were uploaded to this database for police departments across the nation to access and cross reference. We probably returned 100 or so firearms over 15 years to original victims. All of which we were out the money but as long as the person who sold it to us was prosecuted...I was happy.

We do not have access to this database so we cannot check items before we buy them.(although being in the business long enough you can spot thieves pretty easily.) They did this on purpose because law enforcement would much rather us buy the item and have possession so they can confiscate it for the original victim.(sometimes the original victim was two to three parties and many years ago.) Otherwise we are legally obligated to pass on stolen items.

The chances this ring ends up in a pawnshop are pretty low. There are hundreds of "gold buyers" in the market now with gold being so high. I even see convenient stores buying gold now and they have zero regulations about reporting or hold periods like pawnshops do.

My best advice is to print a picture and ask local pawnshops, gold buyers etc. Let the buyers know that you'll happily pay above scrap value for the item. Other than that, it's most likely gone. Sorry for your luck...no one wants that.

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Average Joe

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In reply to Yesterday • 7:02p, 12/29/25

AG

Yesterday said:
Bronco6Gen said:
Been out of the pawn game for a long time. There is supposed to be a report given to the police by the pawn shop for purchased items. Detectives are supposed to check the list against reported STOLEN items. Your ring was not stolen, it was lost so they are under no obligation to help you with the pawn shops. Your best bet is to go directly to the pawn shops and ask them to buy it if it comes in and you'll make it worth their time. Do NOT tell them it was stolen, as they are forbidden to knowingly purchase stolen merchandise.

This is still pretty accurate. Unfortunately someone picking up a ring in the parking lot is finders keepers as apposed to someone taking it from your wife's purse or jewelry box. Morally this isn't right but morality and the law don't always see eye to eye.

For starters, when someone "pawns" an item they're not selling it, they're asking for a loan against said item. Most stores have a two month minimum for their pawns so even if they did pawn it, you wouldn't see it out on the retail floor for at least 60 days. If they sell it then there is a 21 day waiting period where pawnshops are required to hold the item for law enforcement purposes...so again, you wouldn't see it on the retail floor for at least three weeks.

Most pawnshops report to a database called Leadsonline.com. Every item we bought or pawned at our stores were uploaded to this database for police departments across the nation to access and cross reference. We probably returned 100 or so firearms over 15 years to original victims. All of which we were out the money but as long as the person who sold it to us was prosecuted...I was happy.

We do not have access to this database so we cannot check items before we buy them.(although being in the business long enough you can spot thieves pretty easily.) They did this on purpose because law enforcement would much rather us buy the item and have possession so they can confiscate it for the original victim.(sometimes the original victim was two to three parties and many years ago.) Otherwise we are legally obligated to pass on stolen items.

The chances this ring ends up in a pawnshop are pretty low. There are hundreds of "gold buyers" in the market now with gold being so high. I even see convenient stores buying gold now and they have zero regulations about reporting or hold periods like pawnshops do.

My best advice is to print a picture and ask local pawnshops, gold buyers etc. Let the buyers know that you'll happily pay above scrap value for the item. Other than that, it's most likely gone. Sorry for your luck...no one wants that.

Thank you and the others that gave insight. This is excellent feedback. Although it doesn't look like my chances are going to increase any, it definitely gives me better direction and will probably save me some time.

I figured we didn't have a chance to get it back without paying, if it ever actually gets pawned, but it's good to confirm that. I think I'll take the advice and go offer above what they buy it for.

Average Joe

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In reply to maroon barchetta • 7:03p, 12/29/25

AG

maroon barchetta said:
Which HEB? You could send that info to Rusty Surrette and see if he will post it on FB for people to keep an eye out

Tower Point. Definitely thought about it.

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Average Joe

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In reply to Bronco6Gen • 7:04p, 12/29/25

AG

Bronco6Gen said:
Been out of the pawn game for a long time. There is supposed to be a report given to the police by the pawn shop for purchased items. Detectives are supposed to check the list against reported STOLEN items. Your ring was not stolen, it was lost so they are under no obligation to help you with the pawn shops. Your best bet is to go directly to the pawn shops and ask them to buy it if it comes in and you'll make it worth their time. Do NOT tell them it was stolen, as they are forbidden to knowingly purchase stolen merchandise.

I suspected that was the case, but good to have confirmation. I appreciate it.

agsalaska

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7:20p, 12/29/25

AG

Spent 18 years in the pawn business.

It's mostly been covered. Just wanted to say good luck and hope you find it.

And understand that most of the pawn shops want to bust that thief as bad as you want to find the ring. But there are privacy laws. A picture given to the managers is not a bad idea.

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BrazosDog02

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In reply to Average Joe • 11:30p, 12/29/25

AG

Have you scoured the local nextdoor app? Asked on Aggieland board ? I want to think there are enough Aggie shopping at HEB that it not only will be found, or has been, and it will make it back. I know being an ag doesn't guarantee you're honest or not an ******* but I think the odds are better than average. For what it's worth, my wife lost a very expensive diamond earring at a Christmas party and 3 years later it shows up in my truck wedged in the carpet. I know you took everything out of yours and a ring is bigger but weird stuff happens. Hopeful that it turns up.

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