Grand Theft at Pawn Shop

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a Grand Theft at American Gold and Coin, 4241 Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota, following a costly bait-and-switch, the Sheriff's Office said.

The victim said around 2:45pm, a man came into the business to pawn a bag of 22-karat gold jewelry and five Saudi Arabian coins. According to the Sheriff's Office,  the man was given several thousand dollars in cash, but a short time after he left the store, the victim realized the bag of gold items had been switched and a bag of fake jewelry was left behind.

The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 40 years old, 5’8” tall, 250 pounds, who at the time was wearing a white t-shirt, Baltimore Orioles jacket, jean shorts and white high top sneakers. The suspect is missing two teeth on the left side of his mouth, according to the Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff’s Office said area pawn shops and local businesses that buy gold should be on the lookout for this suspect and to beware of similar scams.

Anyone with information on this crime can call Criminal Investigations at 941-861-4900 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS (8477), or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com or via text message by texting TIP109 plus a message to CRIMES (274637).