Surrey pawnshop owner charged with trafficking stolen property
The owner of a pawnshop in Surrey is facing eight criminal charges after an investigation into trafficking of stolen property, according to police.
The Surrey RCMP began investigating the business on King George Boulevard near 72 Avenue in December of 2020, according to a statement released Wednesday.
The store was "believed to be conducting business with prolific property crime offenders," Mounties say, noting the city's bylaws requiring owners to provide information and serial numbers of the goods they receive so they can be cross-referenced with stolen property.
Police did not say if the owner, Giovanni Robert Cipparone, had complied with this bylaw.
Cipparone was charged on May 3 with four counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking in property obtained by crime and four counts of possession of property obtained by crime. He is due in court later this month.
"Prolific property crime offenders are responsible for committing a disproportionately large number of offences in Surrey," said spokesperson Cpl. Vanessa Munn in the statement.
"Those who intake and facilitate the sale of stolen property perpetuate thefts in our community."
There appears to be only one pawn shop on that block, and it's called 4 Seasons Pawn Shop and Gold dealer. Surrey RCMP declined to confirm the name of the store, saying the case is currently before the courts.
Anyone with additional information about the case is urged to call 604-599-0502.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Case against ex-Mountie charged with helping China can go ahead in Quebec, judge says
A Quebec court judge has ruled that the case against a former RCMP officer charged with helping China conduct foreign interference can go ahead in the province.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.
Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, will plead guilty in betting case
The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to bank and tax fraud in a sports betting case in which prosecutors allege he stole nearly US$17 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.