The Utah attorney general’s office is asking a judge to let state authorities keep more than $1 million in cash and merchandise seized during a June raid of several pawnshops associated with a polygamous sect.
Three civil asset forfeiture complaints were filed Monday against Xtreme Pawn, Sportsman’s Pawn and Sportsman’s Fast Cash. Officials with the attorney general’s office say the businesses were buying new-in-the-box items that clerks should have known was stolen.
The investigation began after Home Depot complained to police about thefts in their Utah stores increasing.
“According to Home Depot, it has lost around $60 million to theft in Utah over the last five years,” said Dave Carlson, the attorney general’s Justice Division Director.