[iammisc]

No. If you bought it, you own it. The thief now owes the original owner damages. This is true in the United States and I assume England since it's old common law stuff.

It's why thieves try to steal and then turn over immediately.

[amerkhalid]

No, that’s not correct in the US. If you buy stolen property unknowingly, it can be taken away from you.

Had my TV stolen, it ended up in a pawn shop. Luckily, I had receipt and serial number. There was some paperwork and court order but pawnshop had to return TV to me.

[toss1]

Yup, that is also why there are laws against Receiving Stolen Property [1] in the US. This is defined as:

>>According to general receiving stolen property laws, it is a crime to accept or purchase any property which you believe or have actual knowledge that it was obtained through illegal means, such as theft. However, receiving stolen property is its own separate crime and thus should not be confused with the similar criminal acts of theft, robbery, or extortion.

[1] https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/receiving-sto...

[jessriedel]

Knowingly receiving stolen property is a different thing.