BEDFORD – A Mitchell woman is facing felony theft charges after allegedly pawning two firearms stolen from a Bedford residence.
Melissa S. Key, 49, of Mitchell, is accused of two counts of theft greater than $750, specifically involving firearms.
The investigation began on Saturday, May 17, 2025, when Bedford Police Department Officer Steven Hatton Jr. was dispatched to a theft report at the department. There, he met with a male, who reported that five firearms had been stolen from his home in February while Melissa Key was staying there.
The homeowner told Officer Hatton that Key had informed him she pawned the firearms at Ace Pawnshop. He stated that Key had retrieved three of the guns and returned them to him, but was unable to retrieve the remaining two. The homeowner asserted that Key did not have permission to take or pawn any of the firearms.
The two firearms still at the pawnshop were identified as a black Ruger AR-5.56 rifle, valued at $799.99, and a Woodgrain/Gold Henry Big Boy .44 rifle, valued at $979.99. The homeowner provided a phone number for Key and a screenshot of text messages in which she allegedly confirmed the location of the firearms and the pawned amounts.
Officer Hatton confirmed with Ace Pawnshop that the two firearms were indeed still there and were brought in by Melissa Key. Due to the pawnshop’s closing hours, retrieval was delayed. Both rifles were subsequently entered into the IDACS/NCIC stolen property databases.
On Tuesday, May 20, Officer Hatton returned to Ace Pawnshop and retrieved the weapons. Ace Pawnshop provided copies of the lending agreements, signed by Melissa Key, showing she pawned the Henry Big Boy on January 20, 2025, for $400, and the Ruger AR on January 24, 2025, for $250.
The firearms were returned to the rightful owner on the same day and removed from the stolen property databases. Attempts by Officer Hatton to contact Melissa Key regarding the incident were unsuccessful.
Based on the evidence gathered, Officer Hatton requested an arrest warrant for Key on two counts of theft greater than $750, involving firearms. She was detained on Monday, June 2.
A Probable Cause Affidavit outlines the initial findings and allegations that led to an arrest. Criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
