16-720.   Transactions in precious metals, requirements; refusal to redeliverstolen property to owner, effect.(a) A precious metal dealer shall require of every person from whom thedealer purchases precious metal for resale:

      (1)   Proof of identification; and

      (2)   a signed statement saying that the seller is the legal owner of theprecious metal or is an agent of the legal owner who is authorized to sellsuch metal and stating when, where and in what manner such metal was acquiredby the seller.

      (b)   When converted or stolen property has been pawned or sold to a preciousmetal dealer and the pawnbroker or dealerrefuses to redeliver such property to the rightful owner upon demand andpresentation of a bill of sale or other proper evidenceof ownership bythe owner, and legal action by the rightful owner to recover theproperty becomes necessary, the court may assess the pawnbroker or dealer forreasonable attorneys' fees incurred by the rightful owner if the courtfinds that the pawnbroker or dealer wrongfully withheld the converted or stolenproperty.

      History:   L. 1972, ch. 51, § 15; L. 1981, ch. 91, § 9; July 1.