Crime & Safety
Green Brook Business Faces Violations in 'Cash-for-Gold' Sting
Hillsborough Rare Coins accused of 27 civil violations following undercover county and state investigation.
A Green Brook business is one of six Somerset County cash-for-gold shops facing violations following an undercover operation by county and state officials.
Hillsborough Rare Coins, located in the Mill Plaza on Route 22, was charged in the Green Brook Municipal Court with 27 civil violations.
Each civil violation carries a maximum penalty of $500.
“Consumers deserve clear and accurate information when they shop around for the best value for their family’s jewelry," said Eric T. Kanefsky, director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.
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"That’s why the Office of Weights and Measures certifies the scales, ensures jewelers test and weigh precious metals right in front of the consumer, and that they provide a detailed receipt about the items purchased."
The Green Brook business along with cash-for-gold shops in Bound Brook, Franklin Park and Franklin Township were targets of the undercover sting, according to a joint statement from the Attorney General's Office and the Somerset County Prosecutor.
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The investigators brought jewelry and offered to sell them at the stores. They also observed if the jewelers followed state laws intended to protect consumers and prevent the sale of stolen goods, the Attorney General's Office said.
The investigation yielded the arrest of two jewelers.
Michal Khalaf, 51, of South Plainfield, owner of Khalaf Jewelry in Bound Brook, is accused of second-degree conducting unlawful credit practice.
Khalaf allegedly tried to pawn an item he purchased from an investigator at an annual interest rate exceeding 300 percent, the Attorney General's Office said.
Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey Soriano said Khalaf was not licensed by the state to operate as a pawn broker.
Cash4Gold/Wireless Source was charged in the Franklin Township Municipal Court with 30 civil violations. Venus Jewelers was charged in Franklin Township Municipal Court with 439 civil violations and Las Americas was charged in the Bound Brook Municipal Court with 87 civil violations.
“Joint operations such as this bring together the state and county offices of Weights and Measures, which focus on protecting consumers who sell their jewelry, with criminal law enforcement, enabling us to identify and stop businesses that knowingly buy stolen property—especially items that are stolen during residential burglaries," Soriano said.Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
