News and Success Stories

Officer uses LeadsOnline to recover $4,000 worth of jewelry from Philadelphia apartment burglary

“One afternoon the complainant reported a burglary. That morning, she received a call from her landlord asking if she had put a ladder up to her second floor apartment and if she had cut the screen. The complainant said no and told the landlord to call the police. She returned that afternoon and found her jewelry missing. One pearl necklace, two diamond necklaces, three Pandora bracelets, one gold type men’s wedding band, one yellow gold type five emerald cut diamond women’s engagement ring, and one gold type ring with an opal and diamonds around the edge of the opal were all missing. The total value was $4,000. The complainant also stated that there was damage to her kitchen window screen valued at $25. Officer Malone went on LeadsOnline and found the complainant’s jewelry that was sold at a business. Police went to the victim’s apartment and showed the complainant a picture of the jewelry and she positively identified her jewelry. After further evidence was gathered the suspect was arrested for the burglary.”

Ofc. Brian Malone
Philadelphia Police Department
Pennsylvania

Engagement ring found within minutes of search using LeadsOnline

“I was assigned a theft of an engagement ring from a residence. Needless to say the owner was distraught about losing her ring. Upon receiving the report I called the victim. She told me that she suspected the handyman of the theft. I used LeadsOnline to search the suspect for a selling history. Within minutes I located the ring at a local shop and placed a hold on it. By that afternoon the ring was back safely on the finger it belonged. Thanks to LeadsOnline my job was easy. ”

Sgt. Chris Walden
Harris County Sheriff’s Office
Georgia

Ohio detective is able to locate multiple pieces of jewelry in a variety of locations after finding victim’s daughter and her boyfriend responsible

“I am a detective in Ohio and have been using LeadsOnline for over a year. Once again, I had success with this program. I was assigned a case where jewelry was removed from the residence. The victim believed it was his daughter. I searched for his daughter and her boyfriend’s name and found all of the jewelry at multiple locations. I was able to place a hold on the jewelry and retrieve it for the victim. I was then able to charge both the individuals with Felony Receiving Stolen Property. I love this program. ”

Det. Kimberly Haines
Jackson Township Police Department
Ohio

Father and son team busted in Virginia Beach grand larceny after officer ran jewelry through LeadsOnline

“A burglary from a residence was reported earlier this year. The jewelry was found through LeadsOnline one month later with a very clear picture of the items. The victim was able to easily identify her stolen property. Unfortunately, the jewelry was melted down before recovery, but this led to the arrest of a father and son for the burglary, grand larceny, sale of stolen property, and fraud.”

Ofc. Peter Anoia
Virginia Beach Police Department
Virginia

Jewel thief, who stole $500,000 in jewels, was found and charged using LeadsOnline

“Thanks to LeadsOnline we were able to track a professional jewel thief across Arkansas, Missouri and Iowa. The subject stole $500,000 in jewels from our county and we were able to make the case on the suspect and get charges against him. We were also able to get a big portion of the victim’s jewels back. Thank you LeadsOnline!”

Det. Doug Henry
Barry County Sheriff’s Office
Missouri

New Orleans police return $15,000 watch to victim due to a hit on LeadsOnline

“The New Orleans Police Department and Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office were able to recover a $15,000 watch. The recovery was due to a hit received on LeadsOnline. The watch will be returned back to the victim. ”

Det. Iain Watt
New Orleans Police Department
Louisiana

Texas detective uses LeadsOnline to unveil that victim’s son is the burglar who stole her jewelry and weapons

“I was recently working a home burglary case in which the complainant just knew it was her neighbors who had broken into her home and stolen all her jewelry and weapons. After a quick check with LeadsOnline, I discovered the complainant’s son had sold all the stolen items. She did not wish to press charges on her son and she paid to get most of her items back. Plus she apologized to her neighbors for falsely accusing them. Thanks LeadsOnline!”

Det. Cleveland Dominy
Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office
Texas

California officer catches thief using the guise of a moving company to steal patron’s property

“Last month I noticed a number of jewelry items, all from the same person, sold to one of the local businesses. I did a check on the person in CLETS and found they were on probation. I went back to LeadsOnline and did a search on the person for the past few months. I found a number of jewelry items which had not been entered in to NCIC because of the lack of serial numbers. I printed out the information and gave it to our SET team member in charge of probation. He ran a probation search on the person and found a number of items in the home which seemed out of place. He found out the person worked for a moving company and checked with the company. They supplied a list of items submitted by various customers who reported items missing when their stuff was delivered. The officer matched the items to the transaction list from LeadsOnline and found the new items on a current list for a serviceman moving overseas. The items match and the officer moved forward in his arrest of the person and return of the property. None of this would have occurred without the entry of the items into LeadsOnline. Great to have such a valuable tool for law enforcement!”

Ofc. Bonnie Terrill
Riverside County Sheriff’s Office
California

Brentwood detective helps the elderly and hopes that LeadsOnline will one day be mandatory nation-wide

“LeadsOnline is my primary source for searching transactions since we do not have any businesses in our jurisdiction. Recently, I was able to quickly and effectively locate a substantial amount of jewelry stolen from a retirement facility. All of the jewelry was returned to several very appreciative residents. I am grateful for the convenience of your site and hope that someday reporting to LeadsOnline will become mandatory across the county.”

Det. James Colvin
Brentwood Police Department
Tennessee

Wisconsin detective calls LeadsOnline the ultimate investigative tool

“Thanks to LeadsOnline, Stoughton PD had success again! I was able to solve some burglaries and recover 40 plus pieces of property and safely return them to the victims. LeadsOnline is the ultimate investigative tool.”

Det. Erik Veum
Stoughton Police Department
Wisconsin

$75,000 in stolen jewelry to be returned to victim with the help of LeadsOnline

“I recovered $75,000 of stolen jewelry yesterday. I printed the confiscation form and now it is all in my office ready to return to the victim. ”

Det. Joey Gauger
Bedford Police Department
Texas

Victim gets her one of a kind, custom ring returned with the help of LeadsOnline

“Our first case solved using LeadsOnline resulted in the recovery of a stolen $45,000 ring. My victim reported her ring stolen. She suspected her daughter had taken the ring and may have sold it to a mail in gold buyer as she had recently received literature in the mail from one of them. When I got the got case the following day a quick check of the daughter’s name through LeadsOnline revealed one transaction. That transaction was the sale of her mother’s ring for $6,500 dollars to a high end jewelry buyer in Chicago. I contacted the buyer and was able to recover the ring three days after it was reported stolen. In the end the victim decided not to pursue charges against her daughter, but she got her one of a kind custom designed ring back and was extremely grateful for its return. ”

Det. Jeffrey Lang
South Barrington Police Department
Illinois

Son steals property from his own father gets caught with LeadsOnline

” During a routine traffic stop and PCS arrest, the subject was run through the system and they returned several hits over the last 8 months. Upon further suspicion, several phone calls were made and it was discovered that the subject’s father was missing several firearms, tools, and jewelry from his residence. I contacted the multiple businesses involved and was able to recover and return 99{eaf91c7142ede36c84724a2d24afac6a4a8d633fc6fbb2c5a4d5437c75438ec9} of father’s property within 24 hrs. ”

Trooper Jeremy Moore
Kentucky State Police Department
Kentucky

Proactive Miamisburg detective got a head start, with LeadsOnline, catching these crooks

“While looking into two burglary suspects I found transaction receipts through LeadsOnline. The two had sold jewelry at a business in an adjoining county. Knowing the jewelry was likely taken in a burglary, I responded to that business and took pictures of the property. An alert was sent to area police departments along with pictures of the jewelry. A detective at Kettering PD advised that this jewelry might belong to one of his victims from a burglary that had occurred on that same day. The victims ultimately identified the jewelry and have been able to recover it from the business. The jewelry had a lot of sentimental value as a number of pieces had belonged to a deceased family member. I will be utilizing LeadsOnline to continue to build a case against these two individuals. ”

Det. Sgt. Jeff Muncy
Miamisburg Police Department
Ohio

Someone can like it and put two rings back on it thanks to a search in LeadsOnline

“I inquired about an individual who was one of three suspects in a case involving a stolen ring. A quick search returned a likely match, as well as other items likely stolen by the suspect. Two rings were recovered with a total value of roughly $9,000.”

Ofc. Ryan Utt
Gahanna Police Department
Ohio

More than $50,000 dollars in recoveries for these Mississippi cases crossing jurisdictional lines

“Between May and June of this year our county experienced a rash of burglaries and thefts involving antique items, recreational vehicles, weapons, and a quantity of expensive jewelry items. As a normal investigative technique LeadsOnline was researched on a daily basis to determine if any of the stolen items would surface. Within days items associated with our thefts and burglaries began to be sold at various businesses within 100 miles of our location. Using the information provided by LeadsOnline, we were able to arrest five suspects. Investigations in two surrounding counties dovetailed into our investigation and by their access to LeadsOnline they too have solved several theft and burglary cases in their jurisdictions. The value of our recoveries alone have exceeded $50,000 in this one case.”

Deputy Sheriff David Blackwell
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
Mississippi

Cleaning company’s corrupt employee found guilty of multiple jewelry thefts

“I recently had a case were my victim was missing some jewelry. The items began to go missing around the time his home cleaning company started sending a new person. After finding out her name, I checked it through LeadsOnline and found that she had sold all of my victim’s missing jewelry. I was able to recover all the stolen items as well as link the suspect to several other thefts of client’s jewelry that most victims were unaware of. In the end, she was linked to over five theft cases in our and neighboring jurisdictions. Thank you LeadsOnline!”

Lt. Jason Ercole
Senoia Police Department
Georgia

A break in a cold case of missing guns and a motorcycle

“On Aug. 18, 2011, a victim of a breaking and entering reported that several guns and a motorcycle were taken from his storage facility. On Aug. 30, 2011, I located via LeadsOnline, a matching description of one of the guns taken. Looking further into the LeadsOnline report, the model, serial, and incident all matched resulting in a break in a case that would have otherwise been cold. This case would not have been solved without LeadsOnline. Thank you!”

Det. J.D. Koerber
Charleston Police Department
West Virginia

Stolen in Virginia, sold in North Carolina – there’s no hiding with LeadsOnline

“We had been online for just a couple of days and matched an NCIC hit to a gun that was stolen in our jurisdiction and then sold in North Carolina. An arrest has been made in the case.”

Camellia Vail
Augusta County Sheriff’s Office
Virginia

A music bandit is now singing the jailhouse blues

“The implementation of LeadsOnline has led to the recovery of five antique collector’s guitars and a shotgun that was stolen from a widow that remained as keepsakes for her late husband. An elderly gentleman, who had a great love for music, had passed away at an old age leaving his instruments as memories for his wife. The 80 year old woman had all of his antique guitars placed in his music room within the home so that she would have a daily reminder of her late husband. One day, she walked into the music room and found his guitars had been taken from the home. After the report was filed, the guitars were located using LeadsOnline. They were all recovered, along with the shotgun, which she had not known was previously missing. Locating the instruments led to the arrest of a family member. Thanks LeadsOnline!”

Lt. Donald Tomlin
Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office
Louisiana

Employing new ways to recover property

“In August 2004, I investigated a felon in possession of a firearm case. I had received information that the suspect was currently living in Medford, Oregon and was in possession of a stolen handgun taken out of burglary in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

I ran the suspect’s name through LEADS and got a hit. The suspect had sold/pawned three digital cameras at a pawn shop in Tulsa prior to coming out to Oregon. The cameras were taken out of the same burglary as the firearm. When I questioned the suspect about pawning any of the stolen property he initially denied it. I was able to show him the LEADS hit and he eventually admitted to his involvement and the property was recovered by the victim.

This stolen property would have never been located using our old “hand search” method. LEADS not only allowed us to check local businesses, but other locations outside of our jurisdiction.”

Det. Justin Ivens
Medford Police Department
Oregon

Stolen guns found after being pawned in another state

“I worked a burglary where several guns were stolen. Upon checking LeadsOnline, I found three of the stolen guns in Memphis. The firearms were recovered, one arrest was made, and two other people are wanted for the burglary. If it had not been for LeadsOnline, the victim would not have his guns back and his insurance did not pay for the guns. Again, thanks LeadsOnline for helping me do my job and helping the victims get their stolen items back.”

Gary Etter
Craighead County Sheriff’s Office
Arkansas

Catching felons pawning firearms

“We want to recognize our CID Assistant Shannon Hill for all his hard work and expertise helping us track and recover stolen property through LeadsOnline.

Shannon checks LeadsOnline on a daily basis and catches stolen items or felons pawning firearms. In fact, in 2010 Shannon has located 8 felons pawning a firearm. His work with LeadsOnline has caught numerous stolen guns and other property which has been related to Robbery, Burglary, and other investigations.

Shannon / LeadsOnline work has helped investigators recover several pieces of stolen property and led to several arrests. We want to thank Shannon for all his hard work and also thank LeadsOnline for making our job easier.”

Det. Travis Lee
Fayetteville Police Department
Criminal Investigations Division

Helping solve a case in just a few hours

“I was assigned a case in reference to several firearms and electronics stolen from a residence in Charleston, WV. The victim stated that he was unsure of who may have taken the items and had no suspect information. I was able to obtain intelligence from other family members that his son-in-law was having financial problems and has been recently pawning items. At this point, I entered the son-in-law’s name into LeadsOnline and immedaiately located all of the stolen items. In addition, this allowed me to later interview the suspect and achieve a confession. Furthermore, thanks to LeadsOnline, I was able to solve my case within hours of being assigned.”

Det. Jamey Noland
Charleston Police Department
Criminal Investigation Division
West Virginia

Stolen shotgun located and returned to owner

“A Beretta 12-gauge shotgun was taken in a burglary of a building over a month ago. The firearm was located through LeadsOnline at a shop in Dallas. We returned the firearm to the owner, and a felony case against the identified burglar was filed.”

Det. Jalena Page
Rockwall Police Department
Texas

Convicted felon apprehended on two counts

“I received an e-mail from LeadsOnline about a listed person of interest. I looked into the matter and discovered the person had sold a firearm to a local pawn store. The person of interest was a convicted felon and had no reason or legal authority to be in possession of the firearm. A hold was placed on the firearm. The person of interest was arrested for felon in possession of a firearm, a second degree felony in Florida and also charged with providing fraudulent information to a pawn broker (He was selling the gun for a friend who had no ID). This is a third degree felony as the value was under $300. LeadsOnline helped us secure a convicted felon in the county jail and hopefully prison. By the way, the person of interest was also one of our copper thieves. This was a win-win scenario as it allowed us to get one of many copper thieves off the streets. Thanks LeadsOnline!”

Sgt. Donald Howe
Crestview Police Department
Florida

One hit clears 21 cases

“The West Carroll Sheriff’s Department entered several stolen guns in the LeadsOnline stolen items watch list, and as a result, we received a hit confirming that an individual had pawned five stolen firearms in a pawn shop in Morehouse Parish. That information allowed us to clear 21 burglaries that had occurred in our Parish over a 3-month period. Thank you very much LeadsOnline for a tremendous resource and a great tool to help in our fight against crime.”

Chf. Dep. Kenneth Green
West Carroll Sheriff’s Department
Louisiana

15 firearms recovered closing cases in four counties

“In late January 2012, the Williamsburg Police Department recovered 15 stolen firearms from a local pawn shop. The firearms were taken from burglaries that took place in four different counties. Some of the firearms had been in the NCIC system for 10 years. The Williamsburg Police Department was able to arrest one individual and close cases in several counties. Since the arrest, the ATF has opened a case on the individual and federal charges are pending. All of this was possible by monitoring the NCIC reports on the LeadsOnline system. I can’t say enough about how LeadsOnline has assisted my agency in the arrests of burglary suspects and the recovery of stolen property.”

Chief Wayne Bird
Williamsburg Police Department
Kentucky

Firearm recovered 29 years after burglary

“Detective Whittington was informed through a LeadsOnline hit that a Ruger .44 Maginum pistol stolen in a home burglary in 1982 may have been located at a local pawn shop. Detective Whittington contacted the shop owner who said that the firearm was at the store and he would place a hold on it if it was identified by the owner. Contact was then made with the original owner who had the firearm stolen in the burglary. He was able to provide the serial number from paperwork he had kept. The shop provided Detective Whittington with the name of who pawned the firearm. Detective Whittington was able to contact him. He was informed of the situation and advised detectives that he purchased the firearm two years ago from another local pawn shop. Thanks to this information, the owner was able to pay and get the firearm back.”

Lt. William Grimes
Lawton Police Department
Oklahoma

Convicted felon charged with possession of firearm

“While investigating an unrelated theft complaint in my city, I came across a transaction in which the subject sold a revolver to a local shop. The subject caught my attention because I know he is a felon and cannot possess a firearm. While at the pawn shop, I requested the video as well as the contract in which the subject signed that he is the owner of the revolver which he brought himself to the pawn shop. The subject has now settled on this case and has been charged with the crime, awaiting sentencing. Thank you for this wonderful resource.”

Det. Joe Benoit
Omro Police Department
Wisconsin

This arrest was a long time comin’

“In 1987, the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office took a burglary report in Chauvin, La. There were numerous shotguns and rifles stolen. Although a few weapons were recovered, the remaining firearms were logged away for several years. Thanks to Leadsonline, another firearm has been recovered. The victim is grateful and surprised that after all these years the gun has been recovered. Thanks to Leadsonline the firearm was recovered in Houston, Texas in 2012!”

Lt. Donald Tomlin
Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office
Louisiana

Police arrest Tulsa burglary suspect using LeadsOnline; stolen gun found in Oregon

“I had received information that a felon was currently living in Medford, Oregon and was in possession of a stolen handgun taken out of burglary in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I ran the suspect’s name through LeadsOnline and got a hit. The suspect had sold/pawned three stolen digital cameras at a pawn shop in Tulsa prior to coming out to Oregon. The cameras were taken out of the same burglary as the firearm. When I questioned the suspect about pawning any of the stolen property he initially denied it. I was able to show him the LeadsOnline hit and he eventually admitted to his involvement. The property was recovered by the victim. This stolen property would have never been located using our old “hand search” method. LeadsOnline not only allowed us to check local pawn shops, but other locations outside of our jurisdiction.”

Det. Justin Ivens
Medford Police Department
Oregon

Kentucky State police find stolen firearms using LeadsOnline

“While investigating a theft of two firearms, I checked LeadsOnline to see if they’ve shown up at any local pawn shops. Upon searching LeadsOnline, I found both firearms at the same store, pawned by our lead suspect in the investigation. Both stolen guns were picked up and returned to their rightful owner.”

Trooper Eric Bowman
Kentucky State Police Post 6
Kentucky

Kentucky police budget includes LeadsOnline

“Our department has been running LeadsOnline and has recovered stolen items. Our oldest recovered items include two handguns with one stolen in 1993 and the other in 2001. This is an amazing system and we will be budgeting for it for years to come.”

Det. Dennis Briscoe
Winchester Police Department
Kentucky

Stolen firearms recovered and felony arrests made in crime against elderly Kentucky woman

“I was contacted by another agency who had requested my help in a stolen jewelry and firearm case. The victim was a recently widowed elderly female who felt that a family member may have been coming into her home over the course of several months and stealing her jewelry and her late husband’s firearms. I was able to recover four of the seven stolen firearms and most of the missing jewelry using LeadsOnline. The items not recovered were in fact located using LeadsOnline, however the thefts occurred over a period of about eight months and some of the items had been sold or in the case of the jewelry melted down. The total value of all the items actually recovered was in excess of $45,000 (One ring appraised at $40,000). The victim’s relative and her boyfriend were identified as the suspects in this case using LeadsOnline and were ultimately charged with numerous felonies.”

Det. Benjamin Shirley
Lexington Police Department
Kentucky

Stolen firearm reported to NCIC and found on LeadsOnline

“Our department recently was granted access to LeadsOnline. I logged on today and saw a hit for a stolen firearm from our agency that was generated four months ago. I was able to confirm the firearm was still stolen and the victim was notified and was very grateful. We have a suspect and a lead for our growing burglary of vehicle crimes here in Kingsville…this is my first hit and I am very proud of it, thanks LeadsOnline and what a great staff.”

Det. Tony Gonzales
Kingsville Police Department
Texas

Shotgun stolen in Alaska recovered two years later in the lower 48

“Shortly after learning how to use LeadsOnline, I found that someone had pawned a shotgun in a pawn shop in our agency’s jurisdiction (Centralia, Washington) that matched a shotgun that had been stolen out of Talkeetna, Alaska in 2009. I faxed the information to Alaska State Troopers. They called our local pawn shop and verified that it was their stolen gun. One of our officers picked up the gun from the pawn shop and we have sent it back to Alaska so that it can be returned to its owner.”

Rec. Cl. Carin Haldy
Centralia Police Department
Washington

Stolen gun recovered three years later by Mississippi detective. Never give up.

“I was checking my NCIC Hits and located a hunting rifle that has been stolen from a house in George County, MS three years earlier. The rifle had been pawned at a store in Jackson County, MS. The suspect was already in jail at the time, but this rifle was the last of five (5) that that had been recovered. It is great to be able to return property to people after they have been violated in such a manner. Thanks to LeadsOnline for what you do.”

Det. Jason Smith
George County Sheriff’s Department
Mississippi

Stolen gun missing for three years, found within one week of accessing LeadsOnline

“Within one week of getting LeadsOnline I recovered a pistol that was reported stolen in our jurisdiction three years ago. I discovered through LeadsOnline that the pistol was pawned at a shop in Knoxville, TN. Thanks LeadsOnline!!”

Inv. Sam Bolden
Kingston Police Department
Tennessee

More stolen guns off the streets in South Carolina

“Well I’ve just got to share with you that I have recovered two more stolen guns utilizing your NCIC hit matches. The success I’ve had is amazing. These weapons are valued at approximately $350.00 and $450.00 All the other folks in the office are wondering how to use this feature. I am happily showing them. The more eyes we have getting stolen guns off the street and back to their rightful owner is beneficial. Thanks Leads for making it so easy!”

Det. Kelly Lovelace
York County Sheriff’s Office
South Carolina

Guns, including one stolen from a Navy officer in Georgia, recovered by South Carolina detective

“I was able to recover two firearms while working second shift on a slow night. I went through NCIC hits and I located a couple of promising matches. After following up on these, I determined that one of the guns was on a case I was assigned to investigate. The weapon was a Thompson-Center Prohunter 12 gauge shotgun and was fairly expensive. The owner was thrilled to have this returned. The second weapon was a Charles Daly .45 pistol that had been stolen from a Navy officer who was deployed on a Submarine when his home was broken into. It was stolen from Kingsland, Georgia and I spoke with a detective from that jurisdiction and made arrangements to have the weapon returned.”

Det. Kelly Lovelace
York County Sheriff’s Office
South Carolina

Three burglaries solved; Stolen firearms found in 15 minutes using LeadsOnline

“I was contacted by one of my Burglary victims. Mr. Smith requested I look up a person he thought might be involved in his burglary. I took the name and ran it in your system, but did not receive any information on this subject. I decided to check the articles and guns in the NCIC area of LeadsOnline. I do this on a weekly basis to check weapons. Mr. Smith had also talked to me about the weapons taken in the burglary of his home. I started going down the list and noticed two weapons that matched the description of the ones taken in Mr. Smith’s burglary. I was able to solve three burglaries assigned to me within a 15 minute span and recovered over $5,000 in property. In another case, I located a stolen weapon from Grant County, Arkansas. After checking the name of the person who pawned the weapon, I also located where he had pawned an additional three weapons. The weapons have been secured through the Police Hold section of LeadsOnline and warrants will be filed on this subject.”

Det. R. Tribble
Little Rock Police Department
Arkansas

Stolen firearms found, Multiple burglaries solved in Alabama using LeadsOnline

“A neighbor spotted a suspicious vehicle at a residence in South Montgomery County, Alabama and notified the Sheriff’s Office. The vehicle left the scene, the neighbor followed while keeping the Sheriff’s Office apprised of their travels. Long story shortened, the burglars were caught and identified. Thanks to LeadsOnline, once we identified the burglars, we checked them through LeadsOnline and identified nearly forty items, mostly firearms, the pair had pawned in a short period of time. From this we were able to solve several burglaries in Montgomery County and recovered quite a bit of property for our victims. We shared our information with neighboring counties and they found the pair had also been active in at least one other county.”

Inv. Bill Ballance
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office
Alabama

Houston police officer’s stolen Smith & Wesson .357 found in Dallas 37 years later

“Detective Joe Emmett, was checking LeadsOnline and found a stolen Smith and Wesson .357 at a pawnshop. A check found the pistol was stolen in 1973 from a UUMV of a then-Houston Police Officer. Joe did some checking and found the complainant, is now a Lieutenant with the Houston ISD Police Department and is about to retire. He said he would make it up to Dallas with his wife for the property hearing. He was, of course, amazed that the pistol was found this many years later.”

Sgt. David Franklin
Dallas Police Department
Texas

West Virginia police recover 67 stolen firearms using LeadsOnline

“We were able to recover approximately 67 firearms valued at approximately $20,000 and jewelry valued at $2,500. These items were taken from one residence and pawned over two months. Based on the information gained from having LeadsOnline, we are able to recover most of the firearms and jewelry for the victim in this incident. The monetary amounts mentioned were the total given to the suspects in this case from the pawn shops. If we did not have LeadsOnline we probably would not have been able to recover these items. The victim was extremely happy that we were able to locate his items. We here at the Charleston Police Department Criminal Investigation Division are very pleased with LeadsOnline.”

Det. D.L. Workman
Charleston Police Department
West Virginia

Pawnshops and law enforcement working together to solve crimes

“For the past 15 years Chavela Simmons, the owner of All-N-One Pawn shop in Kanawha City, has enforced strict guidelines when a customer comes in with something to pawn or sell. We’ve always done paperwork even if we buy a DVD for 50 cents or a dollar … it doesn’t matter,” Simmons said. “We take the person’s ID, write it up, and it goes to the city of Charleston.” And she’s taking another step to help protect her business by signing up for LeadsOnline, a national database that the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department and the Charleston Police Department subscribe to — to track stolen items. “It can make a huge difference in recovering stolen property and getting people to justice that are doing the break ins,” Kanawha County Sheriff Mike Rutherford said. Signing up for the online program may soon become mandatory for any second-hand shop in the county if the “pawn shop ordinance” passes. Simmons’ shop is one of several in the area that are ahead of the game. “I think it’s going to be easier at the end of the day,” Simmons said. “We do our books and close it out. It’s just going to be one click, and everybody will have access to it.” All it means for Simmons is swapping out paper for a computer screen. It’s a move she hopes will save her shop money and trouble. The ordinance would not only include places like pawn shops and second-hand stores, but also scrapyards to help put a dent in copper theft. Since 2009, Rutherford says almost 100 stolen items have been tracked down in the county because of LeadsOnline. Forty-eight of those items were guns.”

Kanawha county Sheriff’s Department
West Virginia

LeadsOnline used by investigators in Cleveland County to find stolen guns and electronics

“A burglary was reported to the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Department where several guns and electronics were stolen. Three days later, the 46 inch Samsung flat screen television that was stolen out of the residence was located at a pawnshop in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The Mossberg 410 shotgun had been sold at Money Mart Pawn Shop in Pine Bluff. The suspect also sold a Ruger 10/22, Knight Muzzleloader, and a Marlin 17 caliber rifle. The suspect has been identified and is in custody. Almost all of the property reported stolen has been recovered thanks to LeadsOnline.”

Det. Josh Bolland
Cleveland County Sheriff’s Department
Arkansas

Stolen guns recovered in Louisiana via LeadsOnline

“Thanks to LeadsOnline, I was able to solve three different burglaries involving guns that were taken from vehicles. This would not have been as easy to solve if it had not been for LeadsOnline. Thanks again.”

Lt. George Webb
Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office
Louisiana

Gun stolen 16 years ago found via LeadsOnline

“I just wanted to let you know that I recovered another pistol. The Smith and Wesson model 39-2 was reported stolen from Clinton County, Michigan in 1996. I used the NCIC function to search other ORI for possible hits. This pistol was pawned on 05-11-2012 and I got a hit on the serial number the next day. Any agency that does not use the LeadsOnline program is overlooking a lot of stolen property! Thanks for the great work!”

Det. Fred McKown
Elko Police Department
Nevada

Multi-agency stolen firearms case solved in Mississippi

“A burglary of a residence was committed in Natchez-Adams County, Mississippi. Sheriff’s Office Detective Stacy Rollinson discovered a stolen firearm (from said burglary) using LeadsOnline. With this information, Natchez Mississippi Sheriffs Office assisted Vicksburg, Mississippi Sheriff’s Office in a search warrant of the suspect’s house and found eight more stolen firearms from said burglary in Natchez along with ther items stolen in recent Vicksburg burglaries. LeadsOnline is a VERY VALUABLE TOOL for law enforcement. Thank ya’ll very much.”

Det. DeLayne Bush
Adams County Sheriff’s Office
Mississippi