A local business owner was jailed Tuesday after operating a “pawnshop” without a proper license.

Sgt. Jason Curry, with the Andalusia Police Department, said that Joel Kelley, 58, was arrested after a 3-week long investigation in which it was determined that he did not have the correct license to operate a pawn shop.

Curry said the investigation began after APD recovered stolen property from the business.

“After working the case, it was determined that property was being pawned at the business,” Curry said.

Alabama law says that a person may not engage in business as a pawnbroker unless the person has a valid license, authorizing him or her to engage in the business.

There are also certain eligibility criteria for those who wish to obtain a pawnshop license. They include not having been convicted of a felony within the last 10 years or not acting as a beneficial owner for someone who has been convicted of a felony within the last 10 years.

Kelley was charged with 16 counts of failure to obtain a pawnshop license and receiving stolen property, and was held under at $58,000 bond.

He has made bond.