King of Trade’s David Brown earns police honour for helping return stolen ring

By COLLIN GALLANT on September 25, 2021.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant

David Brown knew something was fishy when a unique ring arrived on his counter at the King of Trade downtown.

Holding back his suspicions, he offered to buy what he believed was stolen in a car break-in described by police on social media.

He completed the transaction, the seller left, and Brown called the cops.

On Friday, he received a certificate of merit and souvenir coin from the Medicine Hat Police Service for playing “an instrumental role” in locating the suspect, laying charges and returning the ring to a grateful owner.

“He recognized the potential that it might have been stolen,” said police chief Mike Worden. “Many people would have sent that person away, but Mr. Brown put his own money up, did the exchange, and notified us. We found out it was stolen, and this is about us recognizing that he didn’t have to take those steps.”

Brown, who received the certificate at the police station on Friday in a impromptu ceremony involving the service’s downtown foot patrol, said he did what he thought was right, but was honoured.

“Having the downtown patrol has been really valuable and they’re their when we need them,” he said. “What we do is minimal compared to what the police do.”

The individual has been charged with possessing stolen property valued above $5,000.

Brown also said that most of his clientele are honest but may have excess items to sell or may have fallen on hard times.

His business and another similar firm in town employ a computer database system that retains receipts and descriptions of items they deal with, he said. Police have access to the system to investigate case files, and follow up on any unusual or suspicious activity.

“People really can’t sell stolen items without it coming back to them at some point,” said Brown.