A Detroit pawn shop owner who had more than $300,000 in stolen goods from big box retailers was arraigned on charges Tuesday morning.
Gasswan Gargis, 38, was charged with one count of conducting a criminal enterprise, seven counts of organized retail crime and six counts of receiving and concealing stolen property over $1,000.
Gargis own iPawn Shop in Detroit on 8 Mile and Lahser. Police raided the pawn sop last month, only saying it was part of an ongoing investigation.
According to police, it was a six-month investigation by Canton police, Michigan State Police and the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.
Trisa-Lynette Viado Razon, 20, is also charged with five counts of organized retail crime and two counts of receiving and concealing stolen property over $1,000. She was a shop associate.
Police raided the shop in June and Gargis' home in Commerce Township. During the raid, they found more than $300,000 worth of new, in-box merchandise from big box retailers. Those included high-end electronics, kitchen appliances, generators and power tools.
Each was released on a $5,000 personal bond.
On June 12, 2017, the Canton Police Department executed a search warrant at the iPawn Shop on 8 Mile Road in Detroit, and at Gargis’ home in Commerce Township, resulting in the recovery of over $300,000 worth of new, in-box merchandise, including high-end electronics, kitchen appliances, generators, and power tools.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy said, “The defendants are allegedly responsible for thwarting over approximately $300,000 from major big box retailers in the metro Detroit area. These charges today are the result of months of tedious and exhaustive work by the Canton Police Department and the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. This case should serve as notice that these wide-scale sales of stolen goods to pawn shop operations will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted in Wayne County.”
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