"Is there a way to circumvent the sheriff? like getting the state police involved?"

Yes, I would go over all their heads and call the county supervisor, you need to talk to an elected official.
You will get the runaround from these flunkies you need to talk to someone who has the clout to shut down the pawn shop.

LOL!
Chum doesn't need to call in an expert according to him he is one.
The only problem with that is once he starts to talk about them you realize he doesn't know Jack Schitt.

There are so many thieves now that the courts can't lock them up so now the cops blame the victim.
The wife came home and told me the fog lights were not working, I checked the fuse and it was okay, walked around to the front and the fog lights were gone.
My fault for not welding the nuts.
I didn't even bother to report it, just a waste of time waiting hours for the cops to show up to take the report.