Man arrested trying to sell silver coins to a Chalmette pawn shop which had been stolen in a Mandeville burglary; Total of $2,500 of stolen coins and silver bars recovered, including many in his vehicle

Sloam Johnson, booked with possession of stolen property, which was silver coins and bars taken in a Mandeville burglary.

A New Orleans man was arrested Sept. 17 as he tried to sell silver coins to a Chalmette pawn and jewelry shop which had been stolen in a Mandeville burglary, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

A total of about $2,500 worth of stolen coins and silver bars were recovered, including many in his vehicle during a search authorized by a judge after his initial arrest, the sheriff said.

Sloam Johnson, 37, who also misrepresented his identity while being booked into St. Bernard Parish Prison, was being held in lieu of $5,500 bond set on one count of possession of stolen things and the misrepresentation charge. Bond hasn’t been set on a second count of possession of stolen things.

Sheriff’s deputies were called to a Chalmette pawn and jewelry shop by its operator who said a man was trying to sell possibly stolen silver coins, the sheriff said.

The operator said she was aware that a number of coins were stolen in a recent Mandeville burglary and had been in touch with the owner.

The owner arrived at the shop and identified 30 coins offered for sale by Johnson as among items taken in his burglary.

Johnson denied knowledge the coins were stolen and said he had bought them from another man he identified only by a first name. Johnson also said he had nothing else in his vehicle.

But after his initial arrest, a search of the vehicle authorized by a judge turned up numerous silver bars also stolen.

Silver coins and bars Johnson tried to sell or had in his vehicle.