Caldwell Police Use New Database for Stolen Property

April 23, 2008

Caldwell, Idaho -- Police remind everyone that you should always record the serial numbers of your property in case they're stolen.

Now Caldwell Police are using serial numbers and a new state-of-the-art system to catch thieves. Caldwell Police are now using LeadsOnline, a national database to locate stolen property and suspects.

Caldwell Police Cpl. Bill Crawford can now expedite criminal cases from his desk with LeadsOnline. He's able to scan the database for stolen property and who last had the item at pawn shops, second hand, scrap metal and e-bay drop off stores.

"Now this program here is actually nationwide but we have access to all of the Northwest pawn shops", said Caldwell Police Corporal Bill Crawford.

Prior to LeadsOnline, investigators had to stop by the retailer which required tons of paperwork, limiting them to the surrounding area.  Now, information is collected daily from businesses like Al's Pawn and Sports, where co-owner Jason Heck says the program is much easier to upload data.

"This program helps people get their stuff back, but also the criminal know that these guys are hooked up with law enforcement so they're not going to bring it in here," said Heck.

Caldwell Police will now know if those criminals move stolen inventory.

"If someone goes to a different jurisdiction to get rid of some stolen property, we can track it to that area," said Crawford.

Detectives can search by item description, partial serial number, person's name and within a timeline the theft took place, to narrow it down for possible location within a matter of seconds. LeadsOnline can also solve major crimes, such as missing persons cases, because the database will store that person's name when they do business at these retailers.

"We probably only get five to six stolen things a year, but when you get somebody in you ask a lot of questions and you can see if they know what the item they have and know the info. It's pretty good," said Heck.

Officers say it's worth the $2,500 a year program to retrieve stolen property, but it's more effective if you help.

"It's important that the public understand that marking your property, keeping serial numbers, keeping good descriptions on that property is real important," said Crawford.

More than 800 law enforcement agencies, including several here in the Treasure Valley are using the program.  Some police investigators say LeadsOnline is so effective, they were able to catch murder suspects.