Here in Sydney, the police go around asking the pawn brokers if they have a certain item. If he says, "no", they don't go any further, but go to another shop.

Recently a Sydney violinist had a multi-thousand dollar violin stolen. The police found it in a pawn shop and suggested to the violinist that she pay the pawn broker what he paid the theif. Otherwise the pawn broker will never admit to having the stolen items.

Murray