News and Success Stories

Tag Archives: Musical Instrument

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

Guitars and firearms stolen from famous country singer

“I was assigned a report involving the theft of numerous guitars, memorabilia and firearms from a famous country singer. The following two weeks I identified a suspect and through my investigation, identified approximately $25,000 worth of guitars and firearms sold to various businesses in Missouri and Arkansas. Thanks to LeadsOnline, I returned every guitar stolen and several of the firearms back to the owner. Many of these items were very valuable and one-of-a-kind pieces. With the help of LeadsOnline, I quickly identified, placed holds and recovered these items. Without this system, I likely would not have been able to recover all of the items. The amount of hours dedicated to this investigation was drastically cut due to LeadsOnline. The suspect is currently in custody facing numerous charges. Thank you for this website.”

Det. Daniel Smithson
Branson Police Department
Missouri

Suspect arrested for shoplifting guitars from major retail chain

“A suspect entered a music store on multiple occasions and stole/shoplifted three guitars with a total price tag of $2,479.97. He sold each one of the guitars at three different businesses located throughout the city. Inventory searches were done at different times and the business generated two reports in this case. The retailer requested prosecution and their loss prevention team has been extremely helpful in the investigation. Our suspect “lawyered” up so there was no interview.”

Lieutenant Robert Strausbaugh
Columbus Police Department
Ohio

Raleigh detective uses LeadsOnline to stop a team of thieves from a multitude of consecutive thefts

“I was notified by management of two music stores that they were experiencing a rash of thefts concerning guitars in the local area. I was given a list of guitars that had been reported stolen. In review of the property listed as stolen, it was learned that there was a group of individuals specifically targeting music centers for mandolins and Stratocasters. LeadsOnline was able to assist in locating several of these guitars that were reported stolen and also identified/located additional music equipment that was not previously reported as being stolen. Four suspects that are known to each other and are operating together were identified. A multitude of music equipment and instruments were returned to the victims within a short amount of time. Property was located all throughout Wake County and Cumberland County. All four suspects were located and arrested. Another success with the assistance of LeadsOnline. ”

Det. Wilbur Oneal
Raleigh Police Department
North Carolina

LeadsOnline brings back music to victim’s ears after being held at gunpoint

“We had a robbery / carjacking victim provide a serial number for a Gibson Guitar that was in the vehicle when it was taken at gunpoint. The Guitar value was $5,000.00. I entered it into LeadsOnline and obtain an instant hit. I have recovered the victims Guitar from the business within 1 hour of him giving us the serial number. LeadsOnline rocks! Now we have a very good lead on the robbery suspects. Thank you for having such an AWESOME tool for us to use. Thank You ”

Birmingham Police Department
Johnny Brooks
Alabama

Suspect runs, but can’t hide thanks to LeadsOnline

“LeadsOnline assists me in finding suspects that have left the area and are out on bond. I located a defendant on the other end of the state. He had stolen several musical instruments from the University and students. I recovered several of the items in Huntsville and Birmingham. He was selling stolen property to music stores. The defendant was out on bond for robbery from the Huntsville area when he committed the thefts on campus. LeadsOnline shows him pawning stolen jewelry in the Montgomery area. He is a suspect in a robbery in Montgomery.”

Sgt. Shawn Giddy
Jacksonville State University Police Department
Alabama

$30,000 in stolen musical instruments recovered via LeadsOnline

“During our 30 day trial, over $30,000 (yes, thirty thousand dollars) of stolen musical instruments have been recovered in Texas and Alabama by using LeadsOnline. Not only were we able to recover the instruments – the suspect was linked to other crimes committed in other states. Before LeadsOnline, we would have to request pawnshop information from numerous different state agencies, which made it too time-consuming for our available resources. (That’s just checking Oklahoma pawnshops.) With LeadsOnline, we can check pawnshops nationwide in the time it once took to check the 6 pawnshops in Oklahoma City. The minimal cost required for LeadsOnline has more than paid for itself already.”

Det. Scott Gibbons
Oklahoma University Police Department
Oklahoma

Small law enforcement agency budget eased by using LeadsOnline

“I work for The University of Texas System Police at one of the smaller components. As such we have very limited resources. Beginning in the fall semester, we started experiencing a string of thefts with no suspects or leads. I heard about your service from another agency. The idea seemed better than thumbing through pawn tickets. I signed up for your 30-day free trial. We recently had four musical instruments stolen. I put in the serial number for the first instrument; no success. I put in the serial number for the second instrument; I found a match (I checked three times because I couldn’t believe it). Then I found another match. I even found, through the keyword search, the first instrument. (The Music Department had given me an incomplete serial number.) In total, I found 3 out of the 4 instruments for a recovery of $3,000. This one recovery will pay for 3 years service with money left over. Once I had the suspect’s name, I found he had pawned 24 instruments in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and all over Texas. Through regular channels, I found two outstanding felony warrants from Nebraska and South Carolina. LeadsOnline will surely help recover tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars. Hopefully it will also enhance the penalties for this professional thief. Let me say thanks. If not for the free trial, I would be chasing my tail forever.”

Officer Mark Pierce
University of Texas System Police
Texas

University police department finds stolen musical instruments and electronics

“I got a one month free trial of LeadsOnline and ran all the serial numbers of stolen items over the past year. I found that a stolen digital camera had been sold. After the arrest of the person who sold the camera, I traced it back to a custodian at the University who had been working in the area of the theft. I then started checking people that I had arrested in the past, including students, staff and people from off campus. As a result I found that a music student had pawned three tubas at different pawn shops over a six month period. When I checked with the Music Department, they discovered they were missing the three tubas. The tubas were valued at $3000.00 each. The tubas were recovered and the student confessed. As a result of the recovery of the camera and $9000 of University property, I was able to get LeadsOnline in our budget.
Thank you for the free one month trial!”

Det. Tony Griemel
University of Missouri at St. Louis Police Department
Missouri