“Tacoma experienced two burglaries at an apartment complex. There was no forensic evidence recovered in either case however both victims made up a detail list of the items stolen. The first victim was missing a watch valued at $300, a wedding band valued at $500 and a Cartier necklace valued at $2000. The second victim was missing a $500 necklace and a $13,500 Rolex watch. Only the Rolex watch had a known serial number. Detective Al Calitis entered the stolen items into LeadsOnline and discovered the Rolex had been pawned the day after the burglary by the apartment manager. A further check on the apartment manager through LeadsOnline showed that the manager had numerous pawns involving jewelry. Det. Calitis checked on the other items that the apartment manager had pawned and was able to confirm that they were also stolen from his victims. Through LeadsOnline Det. Calitis also found that the apartment manager had pawned another Rolex watch which was valued at $8000. At this time, however, Det. Calitis could not find a victim for this watch. Det. Calitis interviewed the apartment manager and was able to gain a confession for both burglaries. It is notable that the suspect denied any involvement in either burglary until he was confronted with his pawn records which clearly showed that he pawned the items taken in the burglaries within a day or two of each burglary. After gaining the confession for the two burglaries Det. Calitis confronted the apartment manager with the pawn of the second Rolex. The suspect at first claimed it was his but eventually confessed that he had stolen it from his wife’s employer. The apartment manager said that his wife cleaned house for a local attorney. While his wife was cleaning the house one day, the apartment manager stole the $8000 Rolex and a $10,000 wedding ring. Det. Calitis was able to locate the victim of this theft who was not even aware the items were missing. This case was made possible because of LeadsOnline and the resources they bring to law enforcement. The apartment manager was pawning all the stolen items outside of our county. Had Det. Calitis been limited to a local pawn database he would have not been able to identify the suspect or recover the stolen items. Further, even if there had been forensic evidence (i.e. – fingerprints) they would have been of little value since the apartment manager had been in each of the victim apartments for routine maintenance work which would have explained the existence of any prints.”
Sgt. John Branham
Tacoma Police Department
Washington