16Notice to prevent dealings in goods suspected of being stolen

16 Notice to prevent dealings in goods suspected of being stolen

(1)  A police officer may serve notice under this section on –

(a) a second-hand dealer or pawnbroker; or

(b) any person apparently having the management or charge of the business of second-hand dealer or pawnbroker or the management or charge of any such business so far as it is carried on in or on the relevant premises –

if the police officer suspects that goods in the possession or under the control of the dealer or pawnbroker may be stolen goods.

(2)  The notice –

(a) is to be in the prescribed form; and

(b) is to specify the goods suspected of being stolen; and

(c) for a period of 21 days after service of the notice, prohibits the second-hand dealer, pawnbroker or other person referred to in subsection (1) (b) from altering the form of the goods or selling or otherwise disposing of them in any way.

(3)  The notice may be reissued once for a further period of 21 days commencing on the expiration of the original period of 21 days.

(4)  A second-hand dealer, pawnbroker or other person referred to in subsection (1) (b) who fails to comply with a notice served on him or her under this section is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.