Pawn Shop Owner Nabbed in 'Operation Gold Rush II'

The owner of a Bradenton gold and pawn shop is charged with dealing in stolen property after detectives say bought jewelry he knew or should have known was stolen.

Robert Thomas Mitchell, 56, of Sarasota, is the owner of Lucky Leprechaun, 4804 Manatee Ave. W.

He was arrested as part of "Operation Gold Rush II," in which Manatee County Sheriff's detectives began checking on second-hand dealers last month to make sure they were in compliance with state law.

Detectives checked on eight other dealers as part of the undercover operation, all of which were following the law, a sheriff's office spokesperson said.