Here are some tips to help you protect your property from thieves.
When purchasing a new appliance or lawn mower or DVD player or anything
with an operators manual, staple your receipt to the instruction booklet
and jot down the serial number of the item in the back of the booklet. (The
serial number can usually be found on the back or underside of the item.)
Take a picture of your item, especially bikes, dirt bikes and ATV's.
There are many different types. It is hard to tell some of them apart. The
photo will show any distinguishing marks such as stickers, markings and scrapes
that are unique to your property You have created a record
of proof of ownership by doing this.
How does this help if my Property is stolen?
If your property is stolen call your local Law Enforcement Agency and
report it. By providing the make, model, serial number and photo to the Police
Officer; the Law Enforcement Agency can then enter your item into the NCIC
computer system. The NCIC computer system lists all of the stolen items that
are entered into it. Should a Police Officer locate your item; he can run
the serial number through the NCIC computer and it will notify him that the
item is stolen. You get your item back and the person who had your item when
the Police Officer contacted them is going to get arrested.
Pawn Shops are also require to provide a complete list of items that
they took in over the previous month. The items are listed by make, model
and serial number. The Law Enforcement Agency will cross-reference each Pawn
Shop's list against their stolen property records. If there is a match on
both lists; the Law Enforcement Agency can get your property back from the
Pawn Shop and find out who pawned the item. The person who pawned your property
will be contacted by the Police and face Criminal Prosecution.
For more information, see these sites:
ASKACOP.org