A CHATSWORTH pawn shop owner, who allegedly undervalued gold that was pawned by mostly elderly residents, was charged with 15 counts of theft under false pretences after he re-pawned and lost sentimental gold jewellery.
Barry Naidoo, 56, the owner of Gold Chest Pawnbrokers in Umhlatuzana, appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court on Friday. He was initially charged with one count of theft. Fourteen more charges were added on Friday.
A police source told the POST that Naidoo was allegedly operating the pawn shop legally for many years. However, over the last two years, he was accused of undervalued gold and re-pawned it at a more reputable pawn shop in Chatsworth.
“There are over 40 dockets linked to Naidoo from the Bayview, Chatsworth, Bellair and Malvern areas. The victims were in financial difficulty, and pawned their family heirlooms, and sentimental jewellery that their mother, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers had worn at their weddings.
“Some of the victims were paying the interest each month, and they were under the impression their gold was safe, but it had allegedly already been pawned at another pawn shop.
“After realising that people were opening charges against him, he closed shop and fled to Port Elizabeth. Bayview detectives flagged him on the national database of wanted criminals, and he was traced by Port Elizabeth detectives. He was arrested, and Bayview detectives travelled to Port Elizabeth to transport him back to Chatsworth last week.”
State prosecutor Sumeshini Naidoo said in court on Friday that apart from the 14 charges added, four more charges are expected to be added by Naidoo’s next court appearance.
She said she could not confirm if more charges would be added, as more victims are expected to come forward after his photograph was circulated in the media.
Naidoo is expected to apply for bail at his next court appearance later this month.
THE POST
