SAN ANTONIO -- Recently San Antonio Police arrested several people searching serial numbers through LeadsOnLine.com.
"You've been seeing a lot of warrants where detectives have been doing their research, doing their homework, tracking these suspects down using this tool, " said Officer Matthew Porter with the San Antonio Police Department.
LeadsOnLine is an online investigation system used by law enforcement to recover stolen property and solve crimes.
"As you know these criminals try to stay ahead of us, and this is a way we can stay ahead of them," added Officer Porter.
The LeadsOnLine database tracks property, including items sold to local pawn shops.
"Every time a person comes in and pawns something, all of that information gets transferred to the police department, " said Shirley Gonzales, owner of Bill's Pawn & Jewelry.
Gonzales says all of the items’ serial numbers are typed in a database and sent directly to police. Gonzales went on to say there is a 21-day hold for all items brought into the store. "That 21 days, it gives the police time to do an investigation to see if those items come up stolen," Gonzales added.
Gonzales went on to say it's all about helping the police and protecting the customer.
While the public doesn't have access to the law enforcement LeadsOnLine data base, there is a public website, Reportit.LeadsOnLine.com.
On the site you can store serial numbers, items descriptions, and pictures so your items can be easily identified if they are ever stolen.
If you don't use the website site, police say it's a good idea to keep track of your serial numbers.
