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Online database helps WPD track stolen goods

23.05.12

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) -- With property crimes on the rise, the Wilmington Police Department now has a helping hand in stopping thieves in their tracks.

"We would literally have boxes of pawn tickets, physical tickets, paper tickets that we would have to go through by hand," Wilmington Police spokesman Kevin Smith said.

That is now a thing of the past. The Wilmington Police Department has a top-of-the-line database called LeadsOnline. It's a national effort that helps track thieves and stolen items.

Smith says under a city ordinance, certain businesses are required to enter their purchases in the database.

"It's not only pawn shops, it's jewelry stores, gold and silver buyers, anyone that is purchasing these kinds of products from the public are required to record that," Smith said.

Not only does the database help law enforcement catch suspected crooks, but also helps you get stolen items back in your hands.

"If I got something really important stolen from me, I know I would never see it again, so it would be tough," Jacob Carroll of Wilmington said. "I've got some good stuff that I don't want anybody else to have."

Source: WWAY NewsChannel 3