Gary Police Working To Return Stolen Electronics To Rightful Owners
GARY, Ind. (CBS) -- An investigation by Gary Police into a string of burglaries turned up thousands of dollars' worth of electronics, some believed stolen years ago.
CBS 2's Pamela Jones reports now the search is on to find the owners of the items.
Around 20 flat screen TVs were among the items confiscated, believed stolen and sold for quick crash.
"We've located several televisions, 12-13 different cameras some gaming systems," said Gary Police officer George Dickerson III.
Gary Police confiscated the loot from a We Buy Gold store on Broadway near Ridge Road Monday. The burglary task force served a search warrant there while investigating a string of break-ins, but they say the sheer volume of stuff surprised them.
"I was really excited that we were going to be able to possibly close several of the burglary cases that we did have on our books," said Dickerson.
Among the brand new satellite radios and designer jewelry was a camera a woman reported stolen in 2013.
"It had pictures from her daughter's birth, first birthday," said Gary Police officer Mario Gonzalez.
Officer Gonzalez used details in photos still on the memory card to track the camera's owner in Olympia Fields Wednesday.
"Just started screaming out of sheer joy when she found out that we had her pictures," Officer Gonzalez said. "That's why we do this."
He was able zero in on details on a birth certificate shot on that camera to help find the mom missing it.
Police will display the items for the public January 31 from 9 a.m. until noon, but you have to bring receipts or other proof of purchase.
Police seized the items because they say the gold store had "no" proof of purchase.