Author Archives: LeadsOnline

Notification leads to same-day arrest

“This morning I received an email notifying me that a stolen computer had been pawned. The serial number had been placed in LeadsOnline by the night shift patrol. The computer had been stolen at a local hotel on Monday. Within a couple of hours, the computer was recovered, and I had a suspect ID. The suspect was arrested within a couple of hours of receiving the notification.”

Det. Brook Nichols
Mountain Brook Alabama Police Department
Alabama

Rock on: Detective uses LeadsOnline to solve Guitar Center thefts

“On two separate occasions I have been able to solve thefts from Guitar Center immediately after searching the serial number of the guitar in LeadsOnline. The first case I found that the guitars had been sold to another Guitar Center store. Neither Guitar Center store was aware of the theft until the manager contacted me about missing guitars in an inventory. The second case the guitar was sold to a local pawnshop. I was also able to find video of the thefts after finding out through LeadsOnline when the guitars were sold.”

Det. Thomas Eisenbraun
Goodlettsville Tennessee Police Department
Tennessee

LeadsOnline does it again!

“LeadsOnline does it again! I had been investigating a case where an individual had used a social media platform to contact a victim regarding the sale of an item. When they finally agreed to meet, the victim provided the cellular phone to sell and the suspect provided cash, which unfortunately turned out to be counterfeit money. The account holder on the social media platform had been changed, therefore we were unable to identify the suspect via social media. The victim provided the IMEI number for the device and that number was entered into NCIC. A few days later, sure enough the IMEI number hit as the phone was sold to an ecoATM outside of my jurisdiction. I contacted ecoATM and requested the property to be returned to the agency so it could be returned to the owner. Not only that, the subject involved was identified based upon the images from the ecoATM. LeadsOnline solved another case for me.”

Cpl. A. Calore
Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office
South Carolina

Investigation into armed robbery leads to 20-year prison sentence for suspect

“On May 28, 2021, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office responded to an armed robbery that just occurred. The investigation started with only the description of two suspects and a phone number. Using LeadsOnline, I was able to identify the first suspect by using their phone number and finding their pawn history. By using the information found on LeadsOnline, I was able to develop a case on the suspect, which lead to an arrest warrant being issued a few days later. The suspect identified using the phone number and pawn history was found guilty and sentence to 20 years in prison.”

Inv. Kevin Zaj
Fayette County Georgia Sheriff
Georgia

New case opened and closed in less than five days

“We had several items stolen and scrapped from two landscape companies. We knew the items taken would be taken for scrap only. We had video of the suspect and vehicle, but no plate. The suspect was unknown to us but I knew the make and model of their car. I got on LeadsOnline and checked all scrap yards for the car. It took about five minutes to locate it. I went to the scrap metal yard and obtained their video which was a match to the suspect. I was able to make an arrest and close the case in less than five days.”

Det. Keith Ingram
St. Bernard Ohio Police Department
Ohio

Another cell phone case solved

“Our agency took a report of a theft of a cell phone and attached credit cards. Using LeadsOnline, we were able to locate the phone and quickly identify a suspect. We later learned the victim had a significant amount of fraud that we may not have otherwise solved without the help of LeadsOnline!”

Sgt. Ryan Utt
Gahanna Ohio Police Department
Ohio

LeadsOnline assists in multiple felony cases that lead to arrests

“Thanks to the amazing program of LeadsOnline, our agency was able to locate multiple stolen firearms. The firearms were taken during a residential burglary and within a few hours of reaching out to LeadsOnline multiple guns were recovered. LeadsOnline has assisted our agency on multiple felony cases that all lead to arrests. All agencies need to utilize every tool and LeadsOnline is a great one to have.”

Sgt. Josey Edwards
Maplesville Alabama Police Department
Alabama

Having LeadsOnline as a resource allowed me to solve a high-dollar aggravated theft case

“There was a burglary at a closed business. The owner had passed away and the inventory was going to auction as part of the owner’s estate. Thousands of dollars of equipment was stolen from the business. A couple of months later, I was able to narrow down the list of stolen items. However, there were no serial numbers attached to the stolen items list. I did some searching on LeadsOnline for the makes and models of some of the stolen items. In doing so, I found a pawn ticket that included items from the burglary case. I was able to partner with the agency in the jurisdiction where the items were pawned. That agency was able to serve a search warrant on the suspect’s residence, finding more of the stolen property, including a stolen CAT skid steer loader. Having LeadsOnline as a resource allowed me to solve a high-dollar aggravated theft case.”

Off. Jonah Kopp
Grants Pass Oregon Department of Public Safety

The LeadsOnline system worked flawlessly

“Suspect stole a work van with multiple tools inside. He was arrested within 24 hours in the van. A week later it was discovered several hand tools were missing from the van. A check of LeadsOnline immediately revealed the stolen tools had been sold at a local pawnshop by the same suspect. The items were recovered and additional charges filed on the suspect. The LeadsOnline system worked flawlessly! The pawnshop manager deserves a shout out for doing business the way he should as well!”

Off. Ken Perry
Montana State University Police Department
Montana

Could not have done it without LeadsOnline

“I used LeadsOnline to locate the details of an OfferUp user that stole a phone in violation of grand theft. I used these details to obtain a search warrant that ultimately identified the driver and suspect vehicle. During an interview of the driver, he revealed the suspect seen on video footage stealing the phone. Both suspects have been arrested and my case was submitted for filing. I could not have done it without LeadsOnline.”

Det. John Martinez
Placentia California Police Department
California

LeadsOnline search leads to suspect being charged with Disturbing a Grave or Tomb

“On 08-03-2022, my PD responded to a theft at a funeral home. The suspect (an employee) was developed due to his pawn activity through LeadsOnline. It was further revealed that he pawned a second item stolen prior to the first being discovered, which resulted in felony warrants requested for his involvement including a charge of Disturbing a Grave or Tomb.”

Det. Sean Grant
Palm Springs Florida Police Department
Florida

Case would not have been solved without LeadsOnline

“A check of LeadsOnline for over $3,000 worth of chainsaws was met with positive results! Our offender had brought the stolen saws to a local pawnshop and sold them. The company had reported the incident late and the pawnshop had resold the saws, but we were able to ID the bad guy! This case would not have been possible without LeadsOnline! You guys Rock!”

Det. Robert Deko
North Branford Connecticut Police Department
Connecticut

LeadsOnline notification leads to recovery of stolen gun from 9 years ago

“Thanks to LeadsOnline, I was notified of a stolen Taurus PT-111 that was pawned on 08/20/2022 in Mansfield, Texas. The firearm had been stolen in Tyler, Texas on 05/15/2013. Nine years later, I was able to recover the stolen gun and currently in the process of returning the firearm to the rightful owner. Thank you again.”

Det. Ronny Tekell
Tyler Texas Police Department
Texas

Stolen firearms, an Apple watch, and an iPad recovered from notifications through LeadsOnline

“During our trial demo on 8/24/22, I received several GCIC hit notifications from LeadsOnline that included notifications from outside agencies that I normally wouldn’t receive from our current pawn database. I was able to assist our detectives with recovering two stolen firearms, an Apple watch, and an iPad. The detectives were able to recover the items and close their cases. Thanks LeadOnline!”

Pawn Detail Coordinator Cleo Burton
DeKalb County Georgia Police Department
Georgia

Case closed within 3 hours

“On 10-16-22, I signed up for LeadsOnline access in order to further investigations as a patrol officer. On 10-25-22, I was dispatched to a larceny from residence case. I put the suspect’s name in the search fields and within 15 minutes of dispatch I had located all of the stolen items over 3 different pawnshops in our city. The items taken were not replaceable as they were jewelry belonging to deceased parents. Within 3 hours all of the items taken were returned to the owner. Thanks LeadsOnline!”

Off. Eric Hart
Hampton Virginia Police Department
Virginia

Suspect wears the same shirt all day, not realizing it led to their arrest

“I utilized LeadsOnline to corroborate the identification of a suspect that has shoplifted at numerous large box retailers resulting in large dollar losses. I was able to determine who the suspect was because she pawned items and was pictured wearing the same shirt that she wore during one of the thefts. An affidavit for her arrest has been submitted to the County Attorney’s office.”

Det. Sherry Gooley
Omaha Nebraska Police Department
Nebraska

Suspect uses proxy to sell stolen phone–ends up getting arrested anyway

“I worked on a phone theft case and was able to recover the stolen phone from an ecoATM kiosk. This lead was developed through LeadsOnline. The suspect used a proxy to sell the phone. The photos provided by LeadsOnline for the transaction clearly shows the suspect standing next to her proxy selling the phone at the kiosk. I was able to locate and question the proxy. There was enough information to file charges on the suspect and retrieve the stolen property and return it to the victim (who was very happy).”

Dep. Matthew Williamson
Monroe County Indiana Sheriff
Indiana

LeadsOnline OfferUp search ends in suspecting pleading guilty

“Officers stopped three subjects in a truck with suspected stolen power tools. All three subjects denied possessing them. We determined the items were stolen from a Home Depot. We utilized the OfferUp search via LeadOnline and found the items. We also determined the correct person to charge. We saw previous posts with the items and pictures of him in the background. The suspect just recently plead guilty to possession of stolen property ($2,300).”

Det. Austin Martinez
Placentia California Police Department
California

Another case closed–Jewelry, knives, and guns recovered

“I would like to take the time to thank LeadsOnline in helping me close another case. An elderly person had her home broken into and several sentimental jewelry items were taken. The items were passed down from generation to generation. I checked LeadsOnline and found that the victim’s son had sold the items to two different pawnshops. While discovering these items, it was determined that the son had also stolen three guns and several knives from the residence and also sold them. These items were located and returned to the proper owner. This made her feel better because the items belonged to someone that had just passed away. The son sold the items while the funeral was going on!”

Inv. Arthur Odom
Bay Minette Alabama Police Department
Alabama

Quickly and easily locate a ring going across state lines

“A passenger lost his $1,315 wedding band at a Tampa, Florida, airport ticket counter. Video revealed that the ring was picked up by an unknown passenger. That passenger flew to another state but was later identified. I entered the name into LeadsOnline and was able to quickly and easily locate the ring in a California pawnshop. Unfortunately, due to the time it took to identify the passenger, the ring had already been scrapped. Although the investigation didn’t end with the recovery of the property, I would not have been able to locate the missing ring as fast as I did without LeadsOnline.”

Off. Curtis Smith
Tampa International Airport
Florida

LeadsOnline helps recover family heirloom

“I am a detective working a theft from a victim’s home, where a suspect stole a safe. There was not any video evidence of the crime and I was running out of leads. I spoke with the victim again and asked for any further information on the items that were inside the safe. The victim described in detail a ring that was a family heirloom that belonged to her grandmother. The victim did not have a picture and I requested a sketch of the ring. I found the suspect had sold some items to a pawnshop and I responded with the sketch in hand and was able to positively identify the ring at the shop. I called the victim and informed her that I had successfully recovered her family heirloom and she was so thankful. Thank you LeadsOnline for the assistance with this case.”

Det. Chad Carter
Travis County Texas Sheriff
Texas

Successfully used LeadsOnline in three separate cases

“I’ve successfully used LeadsOnline in three separate cases. I’ve tracked down several pieces of musical equipment at different locations throughout Columbus, Ohio. That has led to charges on a person I’ve had as a suspect for years but was unable to charge till now. I’ve also used it to track down gaming systems. And just recently, I used LeadsOnline to track down tools from a B&E at a construction site. That has resulted in several charges as will. Thank you!”

Det. Casey Conley
West Jefferson Ohio Police Department
Ohio

LeadsOnline Acquires Business Watch International to Expand Coverage in the United States and Canada

April 28, 2022

PLANO, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–LeadsOnline, LLC, today has announced the completion of its acquisition of Business Watch International, Inc. (or “BWI”) to provide law enforcement with expanded coverage and enhanced tools to advance cases faster and deliver justice to more victims. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

LeadsOnline, a nationwide provider of data, technology and intelligence tools used by law enforcement agencies, investigators, and businesses, looks to Business Watch International to expand and enrich its data and capabilities for advancing criminal investigations in the United States and Canada. Over time, LeadsOnline and BWI will seamlessly integrate systems to provide a more robust and advanced experience for law enforcement officers and business users under the LeadsOnline brand. LeadsOnline will maintain separate U.S. and Canadian businesses to comply with local laws.

“The combination of LeadsOnline and BWI will provide investigators with a more comprehensive network of information where it will become increasingly difficult for criminals to hide. With this acquisition, LeadsOnline will have the ability to provide an elevated level of service and commitment to law enforcement,” said Ashley Sacrider, COO, LeadsOnline. “This is a massive win for investigators across the country and the communities they serve.”

“Business Watch International has served law enforcement dutifully over the past 25 years, frequently playing instrumental roles in the return of stolen items to victims and helping law enforcement bring countless criminals to justice. We are so proud of the work we have done and are enthusiastic about the opportunity to be a part of the LeadsOnline family,” said Dion McArthur, CEO of Business Watch International. “We believe strongly that the combination of our two companies will make more victims whole and break cycles of crime across local communities.” Dion will serve as a Senior Advisor to the LeadsOnline team to ensure a smooth transition for BWI’s client agencies and reporting businesses.

“We couldn’t be more excited to bring these two companies together. In times of increasing crime and decreasing manpower, law enforcement needs systems with accurate, timely, and comprehensive intel to advance cases faster and farther than before. We are confident this acquisition will do meaningful good in the advancement of peace and justice in the United States and Canada,” said Alex Finley, CEO, LeadsOnline. “Dion and BWI have devoted decades to this work, and we’re thrilled about the opportunity take it forward.”

Stikeman Elliot and Kirkland & Ellis served as legal counsel and Baker Tilley as financial advisor to LeadsOnline.

About LeadsOnline

LeadsOnline is a powerful digital platform that helps law enforcement investigators and analysts advance criminal cases through the most current data on people and property across the U.S., and helps businesses reduce the hassles of reporting. Law enforcement agencies of every size and mandate use LeadsOnline to find elusive suspects, stolen items, and patterns of individual and organized criminal activity. Businesses, including pawn shops, secondhand stores, scrap metal recyclers and online marketplaces trust LeadsOnline more than any other system to freely, frictionlessly, and safely report transaction information to law enforcement. LeadsOnline is based in Plano, TX. For more information, please visit www.leadsonline.com.

About Business Watch International, Inc.

BWI provides law enforcement with an internet-based data management computer system for pawn, secondhand, precious metal, and scrap metal businesses. The system helps recover stolen property to the rightful owner while cutting down investigation time for law enforcement officers across both the U.S. and Canada. Business Watch International operates regionally in the United States and provides ‘coast to coast’ service in Canada.

Contacts
Customer Inquiries
US Customers – support@leadsonline.com or support@bwiusa.com
Canadian customers – communications@leadsonline.ca or support@businesswatch.ca

Media
For LeadsOnline:
Kaitlyn Jayroe
communications@leadsonline.com

Alton ordinance targets stolen goods

February 18, 2022

By Dylan Suttles

ALTON — City officials are looking to use a tool approved by the county nearly three years ago to address the sale of stolen goods.

At Tuesday’s committee of the whole meeting, aldermen will discuss amending Tile Four, Chapter 10, Sections 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 of the Alton city code of ordinances to create a new chapter called “Pawnbrokers and Secondhand Sellers.”

In March 2019, the Madison County Board approved an ordinance requiring pawn and second-hand stores to electronically submit lists of items taken in. Those businesses were required to participate in the LeadsOnline system, in which dealers daily upload information on items that law enforcement agencies can access.

Officials said most of the pawnbrokers in Alton already use the LeadsOnline system and the resolution is catching the city up with the county ordinance.

According to the proposed resolution, Alton Police have found that identifying and retrieving stolen goods from pawnbrokers and secondhand sellers — as well as identifying the people who sold the stolen items — can be a “difficult and labor-intensive” task. The resolution says the city’s use of LeadsOnline would give Alton Police the ability to determine when stolen goods are sold on Ebay, in pawn shops and in secondhand stores such as Gamestop.

The ordinance would require pawnshops and secondhand buyers in Alton to register with LeadsOnline and record the name, address, date of birth and a government ID card of any pawner or customer. They also would be required to take a photo of any item and record identifying information, such as serial number, description and color.

Alton Police would pay for the LeadsOnline registration, with no costs to pawnbrokers or secondhand dealers. Pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers who fail to comply with the Alton ordinance could face a $500 fine for the first offense and a $1,000 fine for each subsequent violations.

The ordinance would not apply to the sale of used vehicles or to donations to charitable organizations for resale.

Also on Tuesday, aldermen are scheduled to discuss:

  • The closure of Broadway to facilitate a “Fat Tuesday Survival” event 5-9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1.
  • Amending the city nuisance code pertaining to assault and battery; possession, manufacture or delivery of methamphetamine; and violation of the Litter Control Act.
  • Authorizing a letter of intent with Student Athletes Leading Tomorrow to improve the tennis courts on the southern end of Rock Spring Park.
  • Making improvements to College Avenue from Pullman Street to Johnson Street; Rock Spring Drive from Memorial Drive to College Avenue; Johnson Street from College Avenue to Tremont Street; and College Avenue from Johnson Street to Pleasant Street.

Source: https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/article/Aldermen-to-discuss-secondhand-sellers-16930643.php

Police Update: Theft charges added after false imprisonment arrest

February 11, 2022

By Brian Petersheim Jr

A Maricopa man has been charged with allegedly stealing his ex-girlfriend’s engagement ring and pawning it.

According to police documents, on January 20, the suspect, Jamaude T. Williamson, 45, was originally arrested and charged with assaulting his ex-girlfriend.

After Williamson’s arrest, additional charges were added, including trafficking stolen property and theft.

On Jan. 26, six days after Williamson’s arrest, his ex-girlfriend reported to police that her engagement ring was missing and told police that she believed Williamson had taken the ring while he was moving out.

According to a probable cause statement, the victim said that she bought the ring for about $3,000 after taxes.

After a search through an online database, police discovered that the ring was pawned by Williamson at Maricopa Jewelry and Pawn, located at 20800 North John Wayne Parkway Suite 109, on Jan. 18, two days before his arrest.

The database showed that Williamson received $400 for the ring, police say.

Source: https://www.inmaricopa.com/police-update-theft-charges-added-after-false-imprisonment-arrest/

Valet detailing company employee charged with theft from vehicle parked at airport

January 23, 2022

By Chuck Morris

NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) – An employee with a company that cleans cars at Nashville International Airport has been charged with theft after he was arrested on outstanding felony warrants.

Police said Antonio Howse, 33, was arrested on Jan. 12 and found to be in possession of a stolen firearm which he confessed to taking from a valet vehicle at the airport. He was working with Steam Jet Nashville, which is tasked with detailing vehicles parked in valet at the airport at the vehicle owner’s request.

During the investigation, police queried through an online pawn database, police discovered Howse pawned a ring for $100 at a Nashville pawn shop on Nov. 13, 2021. Christina Wulforst reported her engagement ring was stolen from her vehicle parked at the airport between Nov. 9 and Nov. 13. Wulforst identified the ring as hers from a photo

Howse was charged with theft for allegedly taking the ring, valued at $4,700, from the vehicle.

Source: https://www.wsmv.com/news/davidson_county/valet-detailing-company-employee-charged-with-theft-from-vehicle-parked-at-airport/article_f0053a6a-7c82-11ec-873c-b7d2b69b98e5.html?block_id=998344

Gun stolen from Polk City man returned 26 years later

January 7, 2022

OLK CITY, Iowa — Roughly 26 years after it was stolen, a shotgun is back in the hands of its rightful owner in Polk City.

Keith Lister now has his Remington 870 after it was found in Arkansas.

Polk City Police say they received a call in early December from the Mena, Arkansas Police Department saying they had a gun that was stolen from Polk City. The Mena Police Department was notified after a pawn shop put the serial number of a gun through a nationwide reporting system to see if it was stolen.

After it was transferred between departments, it was given back to Lister on Wednesday.

“He was surprised, to say the least, when our department called and told him his gun was found 26 years later,” the department posted on Facebook.

Also in the photo is Sgt. Bode who was the lead on the case, who the department invited back for when it was reunited.

“This happened almost 26 years ago. And, you know, we held on to everything here at the police department and they, you know, they were entered as stolen. So, that was never gonna go away until they’re recovered,” Chief Jeremy Siepker said.

No suspects have been named in the case, so that part of it is still open.

Siepker also said this is a reminder to write down the serial numbers of guns owned the in event one is stolen. Without the serial number written down, this reuniting would have never happened, he said.

Source: https://www.kcci.com/article/polk-city-iowa-arkansasgun-stolen-from-returned-26-years-later/38697623

Local woman suspected of grand larceny, burglary

October 27, 2021

By Selwyn Harris

A local woman was arrested and taken into custody on numerous charges following a grand larceny investigation.

As stated in a Nye County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Deputy Landen Rowland was dispatched to a residence along Steptoe Street earlier this month to investigate a report of theft.

Upon arrival, Rowland made contact with the 68-year-old victim who provided a list of rings that the woman believed to be stolen.

The approximate value of the rings was $10,000, according to the sheriff’s office.

“The rings were stolen from a lockbox inside of the victim’s room,” Rowland’s report stated. “The lockbox could be unlocked by a key that was kept inside the victim’s room.”

The report went on to say that the victim provided a detailed written statement with specifics on each of the rings that had been allegedly stolen, along with a photograph of one of the stolen rings.

Online assistance

Upon further investigation, the descriptions of the rings allegedly pawned by the suspect, identified as Mikaley Boulden, 19, were similar to what was identified on a website known by law enforcement as LeadsOnline.

The website provides technology services to assist law enforcement with catching suspected criminals.

“The victim stated that she was letting Mikaley Boulden stay in her home for a few months,” Rowland’s report stated. “She claimed that Mikaley Boulden knew where the lockbox and key were located and that she had no permission to open it or enter the victim’s room. The victim also stated that Mikaley Boulden purchased some Christmas gifts recently for her family, but has no income, which the victim found suspicious.”

Hard evidence

Additionally, Rowland’s report noted that Boulden initially stated that she had no involvement.

“A LeadsOnline search of Mikaley Boulden’s name and date of birth showed that she had in fact pawned the rings described by the victim at SuperPawn, located at 671 South Highway 160. LeadsOnline showed that Mikaley Boulden provided an identification card and had received approximately $1,500 for six rings. Mikaley was questioned again about her involvement with the missing rings. Mikaley Boulden admitted that she did in fact take rings from the victim without her permission. Mikaley stated she misplaced one and pawned the rest.”

Several charges filed

As a result of the investigation, Rowland determined that Boulden allegedly stole items from the victim with a reported value of $10,000.

“These items were sold for $1,500, and were consistent with grand larceny,” according to the arrest report. “Mikaley Boulden and the victim had separate rooms within the home. Mikaley Boulden unlawfully entered the victim’s room and opened her jewelry lockbox with the intent to commit grand or petty larceny consistent with burglary. Mikaley Boulden knowingly had in her possession the stolen rings from the Steptoe Street residence and pawned them at SuperPawn, receiving money from stolen rings in violation of possession of stolen property. Mikaley Boulden entered SuperPawn, provided her identification card, to sell the stolen rings and obtain money under false pretenses consistent with burglary and obtaining money under false pretenses.”

Boulden was transported to the Nye County Detention Center, where her bail was set at $30,000.

Source: https://pvtimes.com/news/local-woman-suspected-of-grand-larceny-burglary-106012/

UPS driver accused of stealing over $100K in jewelry, valuable metals

October 27, 2021

By Jesse Wells

INDIANAPOLIS — Criminal charges were filed this week against an employee at UPS accused of stealing over $100,000 in jewelry and other valuable metals.

The case began when a manager at the UPS Distribution Center on 86th Street noticed an employee allegedly stealing shipping boxes starting in September. IMPD was then asked to investigate leading to the suspect being arrested.

At the end of his late-night shift, police claim a UPS truck driver would repeatedly enter high-value trailers and steal boxes of expensive jewelry.

“He knew what to look for and he would grab the packages he wanted and take them out of the facility,” said IMPD Detective Keith Hartman.

Detective Hartman with IMPD’s Criminal Interdiction Section says the suspect would then pawn the stolen items either at an exchange business in Greenwood or he’d go online and sell them to a jewelry store in Florida.

“I don’t know if there was a negotiation of price, but they would determine the value and send him back a certified check,” said Hartman.

Court records describe how detective Hartman helped set up a sting operation and caught 40-year-old Dennis Butterfield in the act, stealing boxes from UPS last week.

In addition to theft, Butterfield is also facing two drug-related charges for allegedly possessing pills without a prescription.

“A lot of this jewelry was for repair so it’s not just the monetary value. The sentimental value can be greater. So I’m glad some of these victims are getting their belongings back,” said Hartman.

In fact, police believe Butterfield stole around $140,00 in items. Some were recovered, but many pieces still remain missing.

“I’ve never done a jewelry case until this one,” admits Hartman.

While the jewelry bust is rare, Hartman hopes it sends a simple message to would-be thieves everywhere.

“You never know who’s watching you,” said Hartman.

Butterfield was able to post a small cash bond and was released from jail pending trial.

He’s due in court for an initial hearing next month.

Source: https://fox59.com/news/ups-driver-accused-of-stealing-over-100k-in-jewelry-valuable-metals/

Church burglaries

Nichols Hills man charged, sought

August 5, 2021

By Jeannie Grimes

A Nichols Hills man is believed responsible for a rash of church burglaries, including the January break-in at Johnson Road Baptist Church.

Sterling C. Morris, 35, is charged in McClain County District Court with second degree burglary, injuring a church or contents and pattern of criminal offenses.

An arrest warrant is outstanding.

According to an affidavit, the church was ransacked and burglarized on January 15.

Stolen were musical and sound equipment, electronics, kitchenware, computers, DVR recording system and cameras, and tools.

The McClain County Sheriff’s Department located some of the stolen items along I-35 northbound near mile marker 100.

Police used LeadsOnline, a web-based tool for law enforcement, and located three speakers, a sound board and Black & Decker hedge trimmers which Morris reportedly pawned in Norman on January 20.

Serial numbers had been removed from the speakers and soundboard.

Then on January 27, police were contacted by the Garvin County Sheriff’s Department about a church burglary suspect they had just caught following a pursuit in which he wrecked the vehicle he was driving.

When the undersheriff confirmed the suspect in custody was Morris, police attempted to interview him. But he refused to answer their questions, according to the affidavit.

Police contacted Morris’ father who said his son was driving the older man’s pickup in Garvin County.

He also said Morris didn’t live with him, but was storing property at the father’s place in Oklahoma City.

The son had placed a digital lock on the garage and the father didn’t have access to it. Additional items were stored in a bedroom and in the back yard, according to the affidavit.

Police executed a search warrant at the father’s residence, recovering an “immense amount of property” believed stolen from area churches.

The churches include Johnson Road Baptist Church, Go Church in Norman, New Hope Church in Oklahoma City, First Baptist Church in Mustang, Tri-City Worship Center in Newcastle, Vamoosa Baptist Church in Konawa, First Baptist Church in Minco, Bethany Church in Bethany, and St. John’s Nepomuk Church and Vision Church, both in Yukon.

Investigating agencies in addition to Purcell Police Department include police departments in Norman, Oklahoma City, Mustang, Newcastle, Minco, Bethany and Yukon, as well as the Seminole County Sheriff’s Department.

Source: http://www.purcellregister.com/stories/church-burglaries,32963

New Automated Pawn Record System Paying Off For Des Moines Police

DES MOINES, IOWA — Thursday, June 10, 2021 — A new automated pawn record system implemented by the Des Moines Police Department has significantly improved the process of reporting and finding stolen goods.

LeadsOnline is the nation’s largest online investigation system and provides access to transactions from thousands of reporting businesses. The LeadsOnline platform provides investigators with detailed transaction information, photos, thumbprint scans and digital signatures. Likewise, the investigations system allows police to work across jurisdictional lines, providing instant information that helps solve cases.

“Not only has transitioning to LeadsOnline allowed us to better assist the victims of crimes, but it has also given local businesses the capabilities to streamline the reporting process,” Lt. Chad Steffen of the DMPD’s Crimes Against Persons Section said. “Converting to LeadsOnline has improved our department’s chances of locating and recovering more of the stolen property that is being taken out of Des Moines.”

In its first five months of use, LeadsOnline has helped solve crimes against businesses, churches and schools. Likewise, it has played an instrumental role in exposing theft rings and resolving residential burglaries.

Much of this success is thanks to LeadsOnline’s Citizen Property Inventory System, ReportIt. Within this system, each Des Moines resident is allowed to register up to 100 different articles. These entries are only visible to the DMPD in the case that they are reported as missing.

Registering items in LeadsOnline allows residents to provide valuable information to both law enforcement and insurance companies in the case that they happen to be the victim of a property crime. This information could mean the difference between recovering stolen property or losing it forever.

To register items, visit reportit.leadsonline.com. Registration is a hassle-free process that requires only two elements: description and categorization. You are also allowed to upload additional information, including serial numbers, date of purchase and photos.

To learn more about ReportIt and how to register your property, visit https://www.dsm.city/departments/police-division/investigations/reportit.php

Source: https://www.dsm.city/news_detail_T2_R412.php

Indictments: Theft ring of six operated in Wichita Falls

November 9, 2020

By Trish Choate

Police have zeroed in on a theft ring of six people working together to steal computers, electronics, groceries, hygiene items, sporting goods and more this year, according to court records.

Davon Ramon Blue, Keelan Michael Carter and Ethan Cole Ashley have been charged with engaging in organized criminal activity-theft in connection with a theft ring suspected of stealing about $5,000 of merchandise from a local Walmart, according to court records.

A Wichita County grand jury indicted 19-year-old Blue and 18-year-old Carter Wednesday in connection with incidents on Feb. 8, according to court records. The indictment shows bonds of $20,000 each for them.

Blue and Carter were free Monday from Wichita County Jail, according to online jail records.

On Oct. 21, a Wichita County grand jury indicted 18-year-old Ashley on a charge of engaging in organized criminal activity-theft, court filings show. The indictment set Ashley’s bond at $20,000.

He was free Monday from jail, according to court records.

Engaging in organized criminal activity-theft of over $2,500 to under $30,000 is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

A search of online Wichita County court records and online jail records Monday in Odyssey did not turn up arrests or indictments for the other three suspects in connection with the incidents.

Affidavits for arrest warrants gave this account of allegations:

Between Feb. 8 and Feb. 15, six people operated a theft ring to steal about $4,734 from the Walmart Supercenter in the 3100 block of Lawrence Road.

They took on different roles in a conspiracy to swipe a range of items from computers to hygiene products in eight incidents.

They stole from Walmart on Feb. 8, Feb 9, Feb. 11, Feb. 13, Feb. 14 and Feb. 15.

Video surveillance showed Blue selecting items, removing security devices, taking the items from the store and loading them into vehicles.

Blue was present for at least three thefts, chose items to steal for all of them and pushed the shopping cart out for at least one.

Ashley is also caught on video picking out things to steal, removing them from Walmart, putting them in a vehicle and driving a suspect vehicle.

Ashley was present for about four thefts, selected items during two and drove in at least four.

Documents show at least three suspects pawned stolen goods at a local pawnshop.

Leadsonline.com shows Blue pawned four stolen items at the shop, including a sound bar, a TV and a desktop computer. Ashley pawned a desktop computer.

Source: https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/2020/11/09/indictments-police-bust-theft-ring-wichita-falls/6223327002/

Lab testing worker confesses to stealing from senior citizens at Lewisville retirement home

October 17, 2020

By Lynnanne Nguyen

GARLAND, Texas – A woman has been arrested after being linked to a Lewisville retirement home theft.

Police say she stole from the elderly while pretending to administer a follow-up COVID-19 test.

Police say they are trying to figure out how long she may have been doing this, but Garland police say she committed a similar crime in September and has been pawning the jewelry she stole.

Back on Sept. 14, Garland police say Laketa Calhoun visited a resident at an assisted living facility called Brookdale Club Hill.

According to police, Calhoun told the resident she needed to collect a urine sample and used the distraction to steal more than a thousand dollars’ worth of jewelry from the resident’s apartment.

Lewisville police say Calhoun works for Medical Lab Partners and used a similar story to distract multiple residents at Discovery Village at Castle Hills in Lewisville last week, telling residents there they needed to be retested for COVID-19.

Garland police say they were able to identify Calhoun through a pawn shop where she pawned some stolen items.

“We have a database in which we look into pawn shops and see if there were any kind of property that had been pawned there,” said Garland Police Officer Felicia Jones. “That’s how we were able to locate her on video pawning property that did belong to our victim.”

Lewisville police say Calhoun has confessed to the crimes she committed at Discovery Village.

One of the victim’s grandson says his family was able to help police identify one of his grandmother’s anniversary rings from a local pawn shop, but they fear the rest of the jewelry that was stolen is gone.

Reps for Medical Lab Partners say Calhoun was fired last Thursday when police contacted them about the thefts.

Source: https://www.fox4news.com/news/lab-testing-worker-confesses-to-stealing-from-senior-citizens-at-lewisville-retirement-home

Edinburg woman accused of stealing $10K in jewelry from home where she worked

October 14, 2020

By Mark Reagan

The McAllen Police Department accuses a 45-year-old Edinburg woman of stealing more than $10,000 from a residence where she worked as a provider.

Authorities arrested Sylvia Angelica Medina on Sunday and charged her with theft, more than $2,500 but less than $10,000, according to a probable cause affidavit.

The alleged theft occurred on June 20 in the 3800 block of Umar Avenue.

The investigation began after the complainant called police to report that someone stole about $13,250 worth of jewelry.

“(She) stated that she placed all of her belongings in the garage, including a stand up jewelry box which contained all of her jewelry,” the probable cause affidavit states.

On June 20, she told police that she noticed the jewelry was missing, authorities say.

“(She) stated that she suspects her mother’s provider, Sylvia Angelica Medina, stole her jewelry,” the probable cause affidavit states.

Police say the complainant provided receipts for the jewelry, which included a 10-karat white gold men’s diamond band valued at $2,999.99; a 10-karat rose gold crown necklace with lab-created sapphires valued at $134.25; a 14-karat gold Le Vian chocolate diamond tiara ring valued at $1,124.25; a 14-karat white gold Vera Wang princess-cut diamond engagement ring valued at $4,320; a 14-karat white gold sapphire enhancer ring valued at $1,449.50; and an Elisa rose gold multi-strand necklace valued at $88.

The detective assigned to the case says he contacted Medina to see if she would come to the police station to provide a statement.

“Sylvia stated that she was out of town in Galveston, Texas and she won’t return until Wednesday 7/8/2020. I asked Sylvia if she ever had to go into the garage at any moment during her duties,” the probable cause affidavit states.

According to that document, Medina told the detective she once had to go into the garage to fix a load of laundry that had been improperly placed in the washer.

The detective again contacted Medina on July 9 and she said she would not return to the Rio Grande Valley until July 15, according to the charging document.

“I checked Sylvia’s pawn activity on LeadsOnline which showed that she made a pawn on 7/5/2020 in Edinburg, Texas indicating that she was dishonest with me,” the probable cause affidavit states.

The detective says in that document that he went to the Piedad Pawn Shop in Edinburg and obtained a ticket showing Medina pawned a “10K WG 9.6 grams cluster ring” and a “14K 4.36 crown ring” on July 23.

“The second item matched the description of the crown ring that was stolen. I contacted Sylvia and asked if she had yet returned. Sylvia stated that she is still up in the Houston area because she had another surgery a few days ago and is still recovering,” the probable cause affidavit states.

That’s when the detective says he told Medina that he knew the truth about the Piedad Pawn Shop.

“Sylvia remained silent on the line for an extended period of time, and then said she would talk to me about all of this when she returns to town on around 8/17/2020,” the affidavit states.

The detective then says in the charging document that he went to Medina’s mother’s house and was told the woman was not in Houston at all, but was in Georgia and had left on July 30.

A few days later, on Aug. 3, Medina contacted the detective and, according to the affidavit, said she knew she did wrong and was willing to pay the consequences, but needed to know what was going to happen to her.

“Sylvia stated that she did not have the jewelry with her. Sylvia stated that no one at her house knows what she did, and she doesn’t want them to know about it,” the probable cause affidavit states.

On Aug. 5, police say Medina went to the police station and returned four of the six items.

Medina has two previous theft cases from 1994 and 1995, both misdemeanors, records show.

Court records indicate she was found guilty in the 1995 case and reflect that the 1994 case was deferred.

The records are not available online.

Medina bailed out on a $10,000 cash bond on Monday, records show.

Source: https://www.themonitor.com/2020/10/14/edinburg-woman-accused-stealing-10k-jewelry-home-worked/

Burglar Detained 10 Months After Attempting to Pawn Stolen Golf Clubs

September 9, 2020

By Cheyanne Conboy

25-year-old Joseph Stubblefield was charged with aggravated burglary ten months after police verified that he pawned golf clubs which were reported stolen by his grandfather.

On November 11th, 2019, Goodlettsville Police Officer Stephen Hodges spoke with Donald Stubblefield regarding items stolen from his property. Donald advised police that he had to remove some items including a golf club from his vehicle in order to give his friends a ride to the airport. He stored them in the utility room of his home and when he returned home he went straight to bed. The next day he found damage to the exterior door of the utility room, and his golf clubs were missing. Donald reported that the missing golf bag contained a full set of irons, drivers, a putter, a range finder, golf balls, and a Bulova wristwatch. He stated that the total estimated value for the contents of the golf bag was $2,000 and that his grandson, Joseph Stubblefield, may be involved.

He told police that Joseph had lived with him previously, but had been evicted due to his drug addiction and previous theft of property. Officer Hodges searched Joseph’s full name in Leads Online to verify his pawn history and discovered that he had attempted to pawn golf clubs on November 7th, 2019 at Easy Pawn located at 840 Madison Square. Two days later Officer Hodges took photos of the golf clubs at Easy Pawn, and Donald Stubblefield was able to positively identify the items.

On September 7th, Joseph Stubblefield was arrested and charged with aggravated burglary. He is currently jailed in lieu of a $15,000 bond.

Source: https://www.scoopnashville.com/2020/09/burglar-detained-10-months-after-attempting-to-pawn-stolen-golf-clubs/

‘I never thought I’d see it again’: Hunting rifle stolen from former Craig resident in 1982 reunited 38 years later

June 23, 2020

Joshua Carney

Gary Rosine can’t quite remember where he was parked or what vehicle he was driving one night in December 1982, but he certainly remembers the specific hunting rifle stolen from his vehicle 38 year ago.

“It was a Remington 700 .270, and I had just purchased it,” Rosine said from his home in Fairplay. “I still had the box and receipt and everything.”

Fortunately for Rosine, a former Craig resident and Tri-State Generation and Transmissions employee, having that receipt with the serial number on it helped Moffat County Investigator Gary Nichols reunite the rifle with its original owner last week after a tip from leadsonline.com, which located the stolen rifle at a pawn shop in Great Falls, Montana.

Nichols says he received a call from an investigator with the website in July 2019, alerting him to the whereabouts of the rifle. Leads is the largest investigative service based in Dallas and uses technology to help law enforcement track down stolen property and identify suspects.

“Once I received the tip I contacted the pawn shop in Great Falls and asked them if they had this specific rifle with this serial number,” Nichols said. “They said that they had it, so I told them not to get rid of it.”

After some back and forth between the pawn shop and investigators, the shop gave Nichols the name of the man who had pawned the rifle. The pawn shop told Nichols the man had pawned the rifle some 15 times since 2012.

“I was able to contact him and found out that he had received the rifle from a friend’s family after his friend had died in 1998,” Nichols said. “That’s as far back as I could trace the rifle, which is clearly not to 1982.”

After getting some backstory on the rifle from the man who had pawned it, Nichols told him he wouldn’t be getting the rifle back, and then contacted an investigator in Great Falls to help place an administrative hold on the rifle for 30 days.

From there, Great Falls Police Department picked up the gun and shipped it to Nichols, who then reconnected with Rosine.

“I knew Gary from back then. We were acquaintances,” Nichols said. “So it was nice to have a bit of a reunion with him and return the gun to him.”

“I never thought I’d see it again,” Rosine said. “I mean, what are the odds? For it to be out there that long and then to get it back? That’s pretty cool.”

“It’s always great to help the victim out in situations like this and return stolen property to them,” added Nichols, who recently made a trip to Brighton to recover a stolen four-wheeler from Moffat County. “It was especially great since I know Gary personally. I like to help the victim in whatever way we can. Fortunately, it worked out very well in this case.

“It’s certainly the coldest case I’ve worked on.”

After being reunited with his rifle last week, Rosine says he hasn’t had a chance to take the gun out to shoot it, but he plans on it here soon.

“It’s still in good shape,” Rosine said. “It’s definitely still useable. The stock was modified over the years, so I’ll have to replace that, but it still looks much like it did back then.”

Source: https://www.craigdailypress.com/news/i-never-thought-id-see-it-again-hunting-rifle-stolen-from-former-craig-resident-in-1982-reunited-38-years-later/

Wanted Wednesday: Man wanted for petit theft and dealing in stolen property

May 6, 2020

By Briana Nespral

Gainesville, Fla. — A Gainesville man is wanted for allegedly dealing in stolen property. Now deputies want him off the streets.

Andrew Sanchez says he was going for a jog with his friends when he left his bike locked up on campus. Five hours later, his bike was gone. Alachua County deputies say 36-year-old Jasson Secreto cut the lock off and then sold it at a nearby pawn shop.

“I was upset that my bike was stolen obviously because I really liked my bike,” said Andrew Sanchez.

Deputies say Secreto went through all of this trouble for just $50 from the pawn shop.

“Fortunately, the owner had an identification tag from the university and they were able to track that bicycle back to the registered owner, who had not given the suspect permission to cut his bicycle lock and pawn this bicycle,” said Art Forgey, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson.

Luckily, at most pawn shops, all information is recorded in a statewide database that law enforcement has access to. This helped UFPD positively identify the thief.

“Obviously, with a drug and theft prior history, he has not reformed and he’s going to probably continue to take stuff that does not belong to him and pawn it or sell it until we can take him into custody where he won’t be able to do that,” said Forgey.

Jasson Secreto is 36 years old, 5’7″, and weighs about 180 lbs. If you have any information regarding his whereabouts, you are asked to call CrimeStoppers at 352-372-STOP.

Source: https://mycbs4.com/news/wanted-wednesdays/wanted-wednesday-man-wanted-for-petit-theft-and-dealing-in-stolen-property

Feds want to seize luxury cars, jewelry from owner accused in pawn shop scheme

April 17, 2020

Rochester, N.Y. – The federal government is looking to seize four luxury vehicles and more than $150,000 from the owner of a Dewey Avenue pawn shop charged with re-selling stolen goods.

Devin Tribunella, owner of Royal Crown Pawn and Jewelry, is facing federal charges. Prosecutors allege Tribunella and other defendants recruited those suffering from opioid addiction to steal items from retailers. They allegedly bought the stolen items at a fraction of their retail value and then re-sold them online.

Prosecutors say Tribunella knew the items were stolen, and allegedly made false representations in eBay and Amazon user agreements, as well as on the LeadsOnline database.

Tribunella and a Royal Crown employee are accused purchasing and selling more than $3.2 million in stolen goods. Prosecutors say Tribunella used more than $2,995,000 in proceeds to buy items such sports cars and jewelry.

The government says it’s looking to seize the following from Tribunella:

A 2008 Lamborghini
A 2014 Rolls Royce
A 2014 Mercedes Benz
A 2015 Porsche 911
A Rolex watch
A Patek Phillipe diamond-encrusted watch
A gold Cartier bracelet
A 14-karat, 21-ct diamond tennis chain and tennis bracelet
A 14-karat diamond cross
A 14-karat, 41.5-ct. Diamond necklace
More than $148,000 from two PayPal accounts
More than $7,100 from a Canandaigua National Bank and Trust account

Tribunella is facing charges including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, selling and conspiring to sell stolen goods across state lines, engaging in financial transactions involving the proceeds of an unlawful activity and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.

He was arrested back in November, along with four others, in connection with investigations tied to two separate pawn shops. Royal Crown employee Wade Shadders was also charged, while Thomas Nary, Eric Finnefrock and Ralph Swain were charged in connection with an investigation at Rochester Pawn and Gold. Nary owned that business, and Finnefrock and Swain were employees. Prosecutors say, between January 2015 and August 2019, the Rochester Pawn and Gold suspects resold nearly $12.5 million in stolen goods.

According to court documents, Royal Crown was allowed to remain open for a year, despite not having a valid license. Tribunella’s attorney, James Doyle, says the pawn shop remained open as the feds and police conducted an investigation.

“We’re talking about 16 months,” Doyle said in February. “If you’re saying this business was killing people with respect to overdoses, aren’t you complicit? Do you not have a part in that?”

Greece Police Chief Patrick Phelan said the punishment is a ticket and a fine, and that police cannot shut down a business for such an offense.

Four local violations from breaking town code were dismissed against Tribunella in February. As part of the agreement, Tribunella is barred from operating a pawn shop in Greece without a valid license.

Source: https://13wham.com/news/local/feds-want-to-seize-luxury-cars-jewelry-from-owner-accused-in-pawn-shop-scheme

Sheriff’s Office puts new software to good use

By Hunter Diehl Challis

Patrol Cpl. Crissi Gilchrist with the Custer County Sheriff’s Department has had her hands on Leads Online for about four months, and she said the more familiar she gets with the tracking software the more she realizes what a valuable tool it is.

“Anything that’s been stolen, that we know has a serial number, can be entered into this system,” Gilchrist said.

“It already paid for itself in the first week we had it by getting all the stuff that was stolen from Allied,” Sheriff Stu Lumpkin said, referring to a Jan. 3 burglary at Allied Builders Supply in Challis.

Gilchrist said she got the serial numbers of what was stolen from the store, put them in Leads Online and almost immediately discovered they had been pawned in Cheyenne, Wyoming, by Zachary James. She contacted the Cheyenne Police Department and officers retrieved the stolen property and are holding it as evidence.

“We were able to hit the ticket the pawn shop entered and that’s how we knew he had taken those items,” Gilchrist said.

Since Leads Online was able to identify which pawn shop James used, Gilchrist said she was able to get in contact with the shop staff. They were able to supply video of James pawning the items, his current address, his phone number and driver’s license number.

“That’s the benefit of it,” Gilchrist said, referring to how quickly she was able to gather the information on James with Leads Online.

Sheriff Lumpkin said the price for using Leads Online was a little more $1,000 for a partial year subscription. However, he said it is so useful that he plans to make it a permanent addition to his crime-fighting arsenal.

Along with Leads Online, Lumpkin has also had Gilchrist explore other online ways of tracking stolen property. She has spent several weeks familiarizing herself with Carfax, a website that can find cars based on partial license plate numbers.

As time goes on, Lumpkin said he might have other deputies learn to use the new software. For right now, though, he said Gilchrist will take the lead with Leads Online and Carfax.

Hammond siblings accused of stealing, pawning parts from neighboring warehouse, charges say

March 13, 2020

By Meredith Colias-Pete

Two Hammond siblings face charges after allegedly being seen on camera pawning stolen parts from a neighboring warehouse, documents show.

Police allege they did so while living in an adjacent business unit owned by the woman’s boyfriend’s father who recently died, records say.

Amoreena Hall, 44, and Isreal Hall, 40, are charged with burglary and corrupt business influence, both level 5 felonies.

Hammond police arrived to write up a burglary report on the 8000 block of New Jersey Avenue in the business park south of the Borman Expressway. The owner said his business, Hydraulic Component Services, rebuilds hydraulic, pneumatic and mechanical parts like pumps, motors, valves and cylinders, he told police.

He noticed brass and equipment missing from the “overflow” warehouse on six weekends between August 2017 and January 2018 including a grinder, air punch, air drill, two air grinders, and a cordless DeWalt drill, charges say.

After thinking an employee was stealing, he set up cameras, which showed a man “climbing up an electrical pipe” attached to the building’s side, removing a corrugated wall panel near the roof and dropping down into his unit, records say.

The owner told police the man lived in the building’s middle unit with another woman and man, charges say. That unit’s former owner, housing a “repair type business” had recently died, police said.

Since then, the son was “using the location as a place to stay” with girlfriend Amoreena Hall and her brother.

In the middle unit, police found a wall panel leading into the far unit, housing Meyer’s Distributors, which also said “numerous items” were stolen in the same time frame, charges say.

That panel was “removed and put back many times”, police said. Inside Meyer’s Distributors, there was access to a ceiling panel up to an attic that spanned the whole building. One the other end, another panel with a “makeshift ladder” dropped down to the Hydraulic Component Services unit, police said.

Through Leads Online, police found “virtually all” of the building’s stolen items sold or pawned to Scrap International, Lake Iron & metal, Super Pawn, EZ Pawn, charges say.

Police spotted Amoreena Hall, occasionally joined by Isreal Hall on camera at pawn shops selling the goods, documents allege. Hall’s boyfriend was not charged.

Both siblings have bonds set at $5,000 cash surety each.

Source: https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/ct-ptb-hammond-warehouse-pawn-st-0314-20200313-tih4gvavuvgszcaodjiq6szqyq-story.html

The RealReal Helps Prevent Trafficking of Stolen Goods

March 12, 2020

By GLOBE NEWSWIRE

SAN FRANCISCO, March 12, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, The RealReal (REAL)—the world’s largest online marketplace for authenticated, consigned luxury goods—announced it has engaged with LeadsOnline, the nation’s largest online investigation service, to help law enforcement catch criminals who traffic in stolen luxury goods.

The RealReal has a long history of working with local, and where appropriate federal, law enforcement to assist in stolen property investigations. Today it is expanding those efforts to a national level to help prevent the trafficking and sale of stolen luxury goods.

Through the LeadsOnline platform, law enforcement officers now have visibility into The RealReal’s current inventory. Details including product descriptions, serial numbers, imagery, and the date and location of the consignment will all be accessible to verified law enforcement officers. Officers will also have a direct line of communication with The RealReal so the company can further assist with active investigations.

“Working with LeadsOnline to create national transparency around our inventory expands our ability to support law enforcement efforts to stop criminal traffickers of luxury goods,” said Rati Levesque, COO of The RealReal.

About The RealReal, Inc.
The RealReal is the world’s largest online marketplace for authenticated, consigned luxury goods. With a rigorous authentication process overseen by experts, The RealReal provides a safe and reliable platform for consumers to buy and sell their luxury items. We have 150+ in-house gemologists, horologists and brand authenticators who inspect thousands of items each day. As a sustainable company, we give new life to pieces by hundreds of brands, from Gucci to Cartier, supporting the circular economy. We make consigning effortless with free in-home pickup, drop-off service and direct shipping for individual consignors and estates. At our stores in LA, NYC and San Francisco, customers can shop, consign, and meet with our experts. At our 10 Luxury Consignment Offices, four of which are in our retail stores, our expert staff provides free valuations.

The RealReal Press Contact:
Erin Santy
Head of Communications
pr@therealreal.com

Source: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/realreal-helps-prevent-trafficking-stolen-130010353.html

Sheriff’s office urging residents to use online service to register valuables

February 28, 2020

By Saul A. Flores

BULLHEAD CITY — Mohave County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging all residents to use ReportIt.

ReportIt is a free, secure online service that allows citizens to record serial numbers and upload images for phones, electronics and other valuables.

MCSO said that the ReportIt service is a part of LeadsOnline, the online system that works with police departments and law enforcement agencies across the country to track and recover stolen property. MCSO uses LeadsOnline to help track and recover stolen property such as jewelry, sporting equipment, electronics, computers, cameras, designer clothing, collectibles and other items with invaluable personal worth. The system allows deputies to search for the items using a variety of parameters, concluding item descriptions and serial numbers.

When an item is sold to a pawn or second-hand shop, the product information is entered in the LeadsOnline database and is immediately viewable by participating law enforcement agencies across the country.

“ReportIt his an excellent program and I am very pleased to be able to offer it to all residents of Mohave County. This is a modern proactive tool that will easily allow you to catalog information about your valuables. This is a secure site and you can easily add up to 100 items,” said Sheriff Doug Schuster through a prepared statement.

Schuster said that no one will ever have unauthorized access to your information, you can immediately access the information in the case of theft and the list can be shared with law enforcement as well as your insurance carrier.

MCSO said that with the information provided by LeadsOnline, police track down thieves, develop leads in numerous cases and make arrests. Citizens can store an unlimited number of serial numbers, item descriptions, pictures and scans of receipts so items may be more easily identified in the event of theft. The record also may come in handy when filing claims with insurance providers in the event of a loss.

Citizens wanting to participate in ReportIt can register for the free services at reportit.leadsonline.com and begin building their personal property inventory list.

Source: http://www.mohavedailynews.com/news/sheriff-s-office-urging-residents-to-use-online-service-to/article_73cdcfb4-59f9-11ea-a834-8766bc786a52.html

Thousands of dollars worth of stolen tools recovered in Lewis & Clark County

By John Riley

February 6, 2020

Deputies found the tools packed into a storage unit.

HELENA — The Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) has recovered tens of thousands of dollars worth of tools that have been from construction sites in recent months.

The first reports of stolen tools came in around Christmas by a contractor.

Sgt. Chris Weiss was able to locate some of the stolen items a few weeks later through Leads Online, a web-based service operated by pawn shops that helps law enforcement nationwide locate stolen items that were pawned.

“Around the first week of January I came across some tools on Leads Online that matched the description of the victims’ tools,” said Weiss.

Weiss found the person trying to sell the stolen tools, which then led him to another suspect. With search warrants, Weiss was then able to track the location of the tool cache through directions that were on a cell phone.

Deputies found the tools packed into a storage unit.

“As soon as we opened the door, it was probably 90 percent full of tools,” said Weiss. “It was around a 10 foot wide by 20 foot in depth storage shed that was full from the floor to middle height with tools.”

Deputies found the tools from numerous cases across the county, with each victim estimated to have lost at least $10,000.

“These are contractors, this is their livelihood,” said Weiss. “This is what they do to make their income. So when they lose everything they have to go seek insurance, or if they don’t have insurance they have to seek it on their own to replace these tools.”

The tools are still in LCSO custody while the case is open, but Weiss looks forward to getting them back to their owners as soon as possible.

“Every year we suffer break-ins to local business,” said Sheriff Leo Dutton. “The businesses, or construction companies, operate in a narrow profit margin.”

Sheriff Leo Dutton praised Sgt. Weiss his work on this case, specifically for closely paying attention to detail, and for working quickly locating the stolen property.

“The longer we have to look for stolen property, the less likely we are to find it,” explained Dutton. “Often when we’re working with a professional ring, they’ll go to either another town or out of state. If they’re trading it for drugs, they’re gone in the wind.”

LCSO strongly encourages contractors to make sure their tools are locked and secured when they leave a site. Investing in a game cam can also be a good way to identify a potential thief should a break-in occur.

The main suspect of this case is currently in custody and LCSO is recommending three counts of felony theft; the suspect’s name has not yet been released.

Source: https://www.krtv.com/news/crime-and-courts/thousands-of-dollars-worth-of-stolen-tools-recovered-in-lewis-clark-county

Boise Police recover $14,000 worth of tools stolen from Home Depot

By Shirah Matsuzawa

January 9, 2020

In honor of Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, Home Depot thanked the officers who tracked down the stolen tools.

BOISE, Idaho — Organized retail crime cost retailers nearly $778,000 for every $1 billion in sales in 2018, according to a National Retail Federation Survey.

In Boise, the Boise Police Department and Home Depot are working together to fight that crime.

“We have folks that come here from outside the area not knowing what partnerships are in place here, only to find out that when they go in and target one store and then go to another retailer that there’s often officers waiting there to arrest them for the offense that they just committed,” said Boise Police Chief Mike Masterson.

On Thursday, in honor of Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, Home Depot thanked the Boise Police Department after its officers recovered $14,000 worth of stolen tools, most of them power tools.

“It’s easy and quick to get rid of, quick for thieves to sell on the open market for money,” said Home Depot’s Multi Asset Protection Manager Beau Lachance.

“We really enjoy being able to get the merchandise back to the stores because in reality the stores aren’t the only victims, the citizens of Boise are also the victims because in reality the stores are just going to raise its prices if they continue to see these losses,” said Boise Police Department’s Organized Crime Retail Investigator Adam Schloegel.

Which is where pawn shops, like Boise Pawn come in. When someone comes in with an item, owner JT Newton told KTVB, they take note of the serial number.

“It actually goes into a national database called Leads Online and from there that’s 50 states, so whether the item was stolen here or in another state it all goes to the same database, and then from there it goes to the police department,” Newton said.

That’s how police managed to recover these stolen tools.

“If you’re going to steal from our local stores, we will find you,” Schloegel said.

Source: https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/crime/boise-police-stolen-theft-tools-home-depot-recovered-found/277-a1d08139-1dae-45ee-bade-54a989a352e5

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