Release of stolen property.
Baltimore City Code, Article 2, § 11-9
in effect§ 11-9. Release of stolen property.
(a) In general.
A pawnbroker shall release to the Police Department any item in the pawnbroker’s possession if:
(1) the item is established to be stolen;
(2) the owner of the item or the victim of the theft has:
(i) positively identified the item; and
(ii) provided an affidavit of ownership or previously made a report of the theft to a law enforcement agency;
(3) the stolen property report describes the item by:
(i) date;
(ii) initials;
(iii) an insurance record;
(iv) a photograph;
(v) a sales receipt;
(vi) a serial number;
(vii) specific damage;
(viii) a statement of facts that show the item is one of a kind; or
(ix) a unique engraving; and
(4) the pawnbroker is given a receipt for the item released.
(b) Return to owner.
When the primary law enforcement agency no longer needs a transacted item for evidence it may be released to the owner after adjudication.
(c) Reimbursement not prerequisite to release.
A pawnbroker who is required to release an item under this section is not entitled to reimbursement for any pledge or purchase price from:
(1) the primary law enforcement agency;
(2) the owner of the item; or
(3) the victim of the theft.
(Ord. 08-073; Ord. 94-332.)
Source: City of Baltimore Department of Legislative Reference, City of Baltimore Law Library (codes.baltimorecity.gov; Open Law Library bulk XML)URL: https://codes.baltimorecity.gov/us/md/cities/baltimore/code/2/11-9Fetched: 10/25/2026