Dallas police say the quickest way for burglary victims to get their property back from pawnshops is to just buy it.
It can take three months just to get a court date for a property hearing at the magistrates court, as Lindy Blevins discovered.
Her GPS unit was stolen from her vehicle when thieves broke into more than 30 cars in Uptown Dallas this summer.
Investigators found her GPS unit at a pawnshop last week. A detective then told her that if she wanted it back quickly, she should buy it.
"Morally, to me, that sends a message that it's OK for pawnshops to buy stolen property," Blevins said.
Instead, she's filing for a property hearing. It's a 12-week process just to get a court date.
Administrative Judge C. Victor Lander said the delay in getting a hearing is because all parties must be notified. Typically, the notices don't go out until 25 cases are filed.
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"Most people are anxious to get their stuff back, and I can understand that," he said.
Lander said he is looking into ways to speed up the process.
"With the help of all involved, we are going to make it happen," he said.
Blevins said it shouldn't take a hearing to get stolen items back into victims' hands.
"The police at some level should be authorized to give stolen property back with a proof of ownership," she said.
