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