Pawn shop owner jailed

BECKLEY -- Bradley Pawn Shop owner, Joseph Bair was arrested Friday, Nov. 6.
Investigators say Biar faces two counts of receiving stolen property. He also faces recent charges involving tax evasion and drug distribution.

"People like Mr. Bair are the pivotal points on which all of our stolen property turns. Without people like him, willing to buy this stolen property, these drug addicts who need to steal it to support their habit have no where to get money. That's why it's so important, not only to us as a law enforcement agency or to the prosecutors office, it's all also important to the public that people like this be prosecuted," said Sgt. Jim Miller, Raleigh County Sheriff's Department.

Bair is being held in the Southern Regional Jail. Bond has been set for $100,000.

Police say Bair's case will go before the next session of the grand jury.