Missouri Police use electronic scrap metal database to solve battery thefts

“I was investigating several reports of batteries being stolen from vehicles in the Springfield, Missouri area. Upon obtaining a possible suspect name, I searched her name in LeadsOnline, and I was able to determine she had sold several batteries to a local “scrap yard” in the date range of the thefts of the batteries. I interviewed the suspect, and she confessed to stealing the batteries and selling them. The suspect also admitted her boyfriend was involved in stealing batteries and selling them. I searched his name in LeadsOnline and found he was selling several batteries as well. During the interview with him, he confessed to stealing batteries and selling them for cash to a scrap yard. Although I was unable to recover the stolen batteries, I was able to charge two suspects with Felony Stealing.”

Cpl. Jeremy Anderson
Springfield Police Department
Missouri