Pawn shop owner admits to receiving stolen property

LACONIA — The owner of a Tilton pawn shop will be on probation for two years after pleading guilty in Belknap County Superior Court yesterday to one count of receiving stolen property.

Kevin Hobbs, 53, who lives in Mont Vernon but owns Tilton Fast Cash on Route 3, will also pay a $2,000 fine plus $420 in administrative costs. He also agreed to perform 40 hours of community service that will be supervised by the Tilton Police Department.

Hobbs was indicted last month for one misdemeanor count of receiving stolen property and one felony count of falsifying physical evidence. The latter charge was dropped.

Police said Hobbs bought a number of items from a man who later admitted to stealing them from a Northfield homeowner between the dates of Nov. 17, 2008 and Jan. 14, 2009.

When the thief was questioned by police, he admitted the theft and told them he pawned the items at Fash Cash. All of the stolen merchandise was recovered except for a plasma cutter Hobbs said he didn't realize was stolen but for which he had no paperwork for its resale.

Two months later, the investigating officer said an Amherst auto body shop took the plasma cutter from Hobbs in exchange for some work.

Neither Hobbs nor the body shop owner realized the cutter was broken and needed a part available only through the manufacturer. When the new holder of the cutter called the manufacturer, the manufacturer notified police.

Only the homeowner and the police knew the plasma cutter needed the specific piece.