D.C. Code § 5-117.03: Examination of property pledged to pawnbroker.

Any member of the police force, when thereto authorized in writing by the Chief of Police, and having in his possession a pawnbroker’s receipt or ticket, shall be allowed to examine the property purporting to be pawned or pledged, or deposited upon said receipt or ticket, in whosesoever possession said property may be; but no such property shall be taken from the possessor thereof without due process or authority of law.