Police say couple stole gun, then pawned it

A Walling couple faces theft charges after they stole a gun from one pawn shop and then pawned it at another just down the road.

The suspects, Gregory B. Hutchings, 35, and his wife Retha M. Hutchings, 31, are both charged with theft for the incident which happened at 1st Choice Pawn on New Smithville Highway last week.

According to police reports, the couple entered 1st Choice Tuesday afternoon and said they were there to look at guns and jewelry. At one point, the owner said he turned around to see Mr. Hutchings come from behind the gun display case carrying a gun. He then told the man to get out from behind the counter, to which the man responded he wanted to buy the gun. Police believe the suspect had already hidden the other gun, a Glock 9mm, on his person.

Mr. Hutchings then said he was going to go to the bank and come back with money to purchase the other gun and some jewelry for his wife. However, the couple did not come back. It was some time later, while moving merchandise, that the owner realized the Glock was missing.

However, the mystery did not remain a mystery for long as the couple apparently traveled only a short distance down the road before pawning the Glock, worth over $400, at Kwik Cash Pawn for $150. In pawning the gun, Mrs. Hutchings signed an affidavit maintaining the gun was hers to pawn and was not stolen, meaning she will likely face additional charges for pawning the stolen gun. The pawn ticket also included her signature and address since she is required to show identification before pawning an item, thereby making it more difficult to lie about her true identity.