When people’s belongings are stolen, they yearn for a sense of justice and compensation. In many cases, stolen property is never found, and the culprits are never apprehended for their actions. Part of the reason for this may be due, in part, to people not filing police reports about their stolen property or not filing those reports accurately enough to increase their chances of getting their stolen property back. Following a few tips can help increase individuals’ chances of getting their stolen property back and apprehending the thieves.
Immediate Action
Taking immediate action once the discovery has been made that items have been stolen can make a huge difference in the likelihood that the items and takers of the items will be found. Individuals who have been the subject of theft should call their local police departments as soon as possible and provide them with as many details as possible, such as exactly:
- What was stolen
- When it was stolen
- How it was stolen
- Who they believe may have stolen it
Individuals should also obtain the names of the officers that they spoke to for future reference. Individuals may also request for an officer to be sent out to speak with them.
Provide Photographs
Any photographs of the stolen items would prove helpful in assisting police officers with locating them. Provide as much information as possible to the investigating police officers. Additionally, individuals should request their case numbers and refer to them when they are conducting follow-ups concerning their cases with law enforcement agencies. This helps ensure accuracy and save time in future communications with law enforcement agencies.
Obtain a Copy of the Police Report
Individuals should also obtain a copy of the police report that was filed in connection with their missing items. Then, they can read over the reports for accuracy and ensure that nothing was left out and that no errors were made. These reports are the ones that investigating officers refer to, so it’s important that they are accurate.
Periodic Follow-Ups
While it is the duty of law enforcement agencies to look into all reports that they receive, cases such as those concerning stolen property may sometimes get pushed to the side if the filers of the reports don’t follow-up on them and keep them fresh on officers’ minds. Therefore, individuals should conduct periodic follow-ups, asking officers if anything new has been admitted to the property room and whether any new leads have been made into the recovery of their items.
Filing a police report for the stolen property is the first step to getting back the stolen property. However, providing law enforcement agencies with as much cooperation and assistance as possible is key in helping them recover individuals’ stolen property.