Nicholasville pawn shop assists in arson & burglary investigation

NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (WTVQ)- Kevin Mashni was having a normal day at work recently until a swarm of police and fire investigators came into his business.

Mashni wasn’t in trouble with the law though. They were actually seeking his help.

Over the course of about 10 days, state police say an arsonist and burglar struck six different homes in five different central Kentucky counties. Troopers say the suspects would take items from inside the homes, then set fire to them.

“Some of that property from the Madison County and other fires has been found,” says Trooper Robert Purdy.

Mashni’s business is where it was found. He owns and manages Sam’s Gold and Pawn on Lexington Road in Nicholasville and says the suspects in the case, 38-year-old John. C. Roth and a 17-year-old were in his business, selling the items they’d stolen.

Of course, Mashni didn’t know that at the time.

He says the store’s computers correspond with the police department and through that, authorities can advise the store to hold items for investigation. In addition, Mashni says the suspects were recorded making the transaction by cameras behind the front desk.

Mashni also has a message for the victims in the case.

“Sleep easy at night knowing the person who did do this is behind bars now.”