What are my best options for recovering stolen items?

Question

My car got broken into last night. They stole a wedding ring and a gps device. I logged the police report today, but I'm not concerned about the insurance money. I just want the ring back. What are my best options for recovery? I know I can start checking pawn shops throughout the city (I'm ok with paying for it again), but that's a lot of shops to check, and I would have to wait 30 days to start. I don't know if Missouri has a pawn shop database.There are a couple interesting points below.

First, since they stole a gps device, is there any way to find them when they turn it on? Like a device identifier or something? Or is the gps information only "one way"?

Second, I can actually see a fingerprint from them opening the ash tray, which is otherwise covered with dust. Since I never use it, I know it's his. Do the police departments ever pull prints for non-violent crimes like this, or is the expense of doing this to great for them? Is there a way I can check this myself?

Answer 1

I tried to have my car fingerprinted to find out who stole it and the police wouldn't bother.  The difference is whoever's prints showed up, they could say they were in your car but you would still have to prove they stoled your stuff.  Paying to have it fingerprinted would be one thing but you'd need witnesses to say they saw xx steal it or you find your stuff in xx's possession.  My GPS got stolen too, there is no way to trace it.

You may want to contact the local pawn stores.  They may be dumb enough to sell it to them, or they could sell it to a friend or someone off the street for quick cash.  Good Luck.

Answer 2

I am sorry your car was broken into, I know how that feels.  Options:  Most police departments have detectives that regularly check pawn shops for stolen items.  A good description of your ring is critical to it's return.  Send a description via email to all the pawn shops in your area, you might ask them to give you a call, you'll buy back the correct ring.  You can cc the letter to save time.  Police may or may not take the fingerprint, depends on dept policy.  Good Luck!  idk about the GPS.