COBB COUNTY SHERIFF’S
OFFICE PRESS RELEASE
SHERIFF’S OFFICE
ARREST ACCUSED FRAUDULENT PRESCIOUS METAL DEALER
On Saturday,
January 28th, 2012, at approximately 13:30 hours, Investigators with
the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office arrested Norma Macias on Cobb County
Magistrate Warrant 12-W-885 charging her with Violation of the Precious Metals
Dealers license requirements (O.C.G.A. 43-37-6).
This
investigation was initiated by information received from a concerned citizen that
a business located inside Brito supermarket at 1991 South Cobb Drive in Smyrna
was purchasing stolen gold items from individuals without identification or any
documentation and/or records.
During the
investigation, the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office was able to sell several items
of gold to Ms. Macias receiving over eight hundred dollars in cash for these
items. These same items were previously
appraised for approximately $1,560 prior to the transaction by another jeweler.
Georgia law
requires that no person engage in business as a dealer in precious metals until
he/she is registered as a dealer. It
further states the seller must be above the age of 17 and that the dealer must
inquire as to the origin of the items.
The dealer must also maintain a permanent record book of any precious metals
taken in his/her possession. This record book must include the date and time of
purchase, the name and age of the seller, a clear and accurate identification
of each item, the price paid for the goods and the signature of the seller.
At no time
were the investigators required to show identification or questioned as to
where the gold had originated from. Additionally,
no business license, no documentation of what items were purchased or log book
recording the transactions could be immediately located within the
business. Investigators secured the
business after making the arrest without incident.
Ms. Macias
was released on a $5,000 bond.
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