My folks are in their 80s and my dad ran his business independently. He owned the building he housed the business in. It was large enough so that he could store whatever he wanted in the back, and he did so. He is a watch collector/ jewelry collector/ antiques collector.
When he went out of town this year he set his security system, but did not get a security camera (against my advice); however we did video his inventory.
I was out of town last week and lo and behold someone broke in and very specifically took just the jewelry and the watches and left everything else. I’m guessing upwards of $30,000 worth of jewelry and time pieces. The police are not taking it seriously -is there anything I can do to motivate/encourage them? My dad is old-fashioned- he would turn the pieces into cash if he needed to, otherwise he left it in its original form i.e. a jewel or a watch, etc.
Any advice? I’m heartbroken for them.

My only advice is to check all of the area pawn shops. I’m sorry this has happened to you guys.

Thank you I did advise him to do that. He is convinced that it will all be taken out of state to be pawned.

My only suggestion would be to watch local auction and sale sites like FaceBook Marketplace and Craigslist in hopes the stolen stuff shows up there.

Ok, thank you. I will do that.

Involve either a supervisor or state legislator in this. You might get some movement on it then. Avoid going to the media for a bit, if only to try and keep the items close if they think they've gotten away with it.

High value watches have serial numbers that can be traced.

Next step up in the law enforcement chain, county sheriff or state police maybe?

quote:

Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
High value watches have serial numbers that can be traced.

Absolutely, as well as makers marks. They were all hanging in bell jars; I’m sensing he has a good idea who it might be but doesn’t want to address it. He’s been slowly selling off his collection over the last couple years; I’m just shocked he got took like this, and he’s to the point where he’s flustered and says the police don’t care because no one was hurt. Some of these pieces were unique, and whoever stole them was stupid, they are more valuable with their original cases, but those cases were left behind. I’ll review more tomorrow, but I think this was just to melt down the gold and take the jewels. Heartbreaking to a real collector; the pieces had stories and intrinsic value, not just gold and jewels.
Thanks for your advice and information.

With a police report the pictures and documentation ,the insurance company might help

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bendable,

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
With a police report the insurance, pictures and documentation ,the insurance company might help

Yes, I’m working on that with my folks. Part of the problem is they are old fashioned and they can’t believe no one will take them at their word. The other is they are ashamed they got took, so don’t want to report the extent. Different times.

All I can say is I’m sorry.
It sounds like he may know and fear the perp. If so it may be likely to happen again.

Agree on watches. Rolex, omega etc. they have database of stolen watches and if they are ever returned for factory service they will be impounded. Other stuff with no serials ? Yikes. Sadly it’s likely gone.

Do personally go to local pawnshops frequently. Do NOT rely on the police to do anything.

Here, the pawnshops are required to send a log of all items they've taken in, and then wait for 7 days iirc before putting the item out for sale. A friend had a van full of pro musical gear stolen. The police did zero. Didn't review the pawn lists.

And somehow the shops didn't list some of the stuff they took in...

She and her husband found several items locally, and ended up having to buy some of it back!

The police didn't bother to research the pawn logs, which had the real names and dl #s. It was druggies in her neighborhood.

Your efforts are the best chance of getting them back. Good luck!

May I ask what State this theft occurred in? Sorry about the ordeal.

That sucks. If he has an idea of who did it but won’t name names you’re kinda spinning your wheels. The more time that passes the greater chance the items are gone for good. I get being embarrassed and all that but either do everything you can to get your shit back or quit wasting time. Why should LE take it seriously if he’s uncooperative?

quote:

Originally posted by Fly-Sig:
Do personally go to local pawnshops frequently. Do NOT rely on the police to do anything.

Here, the pawnshops are required to send a log of all items they've taken in, and then wait for 7 days iirc before putting the item out for sale. A friend had a van full of pro musical gear stolen. The police did zero. Didn't review the pawn lists.

And somehow the shops didn't list some of the stuff they took in...

She and her husband found several items locally, and ended up having to buy some of it back!

The police didn't bother to research the pawn logs, which had the real names and dl #s. It was druggies in her neighborhood.

Your efforts are the best chance of getting them back. Good luck!

I will. Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by sourdough44:
May I ask what State this theft occurred in? Sorry about the ordeal.

MN

quote:

Originally posted by berto:
That sucks. If he has an idea of who did it but won’t name names you’re kinda spinning your wheels. The more time that passes the greater chance the items are gone for good. I get being embarrassed and all that but either do everything you can to get your shit back or quit wasting time. Why should LE take it seriously if he’s uncooperative?

It’s not that he’s been uncooperative necessarily. They have not contacted him in over four days when there have been three or four voicemails left for both the officers that were on site and assigned the case. No one is getting back to him.

quote:

That sucks. If he has an idea of who did it but won’t name names you’re kinda spinning your wheels. The more time that passes the greater chance the items are gone for good. I get being embarrassed and all that but either do everything you can to get your shit back or quit wasting time. Why should LE take it seriously if he’s uncooperative?

As a LEO I have to agree with this. If a victim isn't cooperative or forthcoming there is a good chance they won't devote much time or resources to solving this and it will get put on the bottom of the pile.

I must have posted this before I was able to read your last post.- Push for answers from the assigned Detectives. But again, if they feel he is holding back for any reason they probably won't push him to come forward with further info. It's a property crime and unfortunately they probably have their plates full (but that is not an excuse for poor or lazy police work)

I hope it works out and sorry that this happened.