Operation Identification

Operation Identification is a program utilized to identify stolen property and to return the property to its rightful owners.

Sometimes police officers come across known burglars who have items in their possession that appear to be stolen.   If that suspect has just burglarized a home, and the crime has not yet been reported to the police, officers have no way to prove that the suspect is in possession of stolen property.

However, if the property bears the owner's name, address and/or Georgia driver's license number, the officers can contact the owner and verify that these items have (or have not) been stolen.  If the property has been stolen, the perpetrator is arrested, and the property is returned to its rightful owner.

Operation Identification also helps in cases where detectives serve search warrants on homes of known criminals.  If detectives find items they believe to be stolen, but cannot find the rightful owners, the detectives cannot prove the items were stolen nor can the items be returned to the rightful owners.

What should you do?

When you purchase an item such as a TV, stereo, computer, or VCR you should take the following precautions:

• Record the make, model and serial number as soon as you open the box.
• Place the above information in a safe, known location should you ever be the victim of a burglary. This information should be given to the responding police officer to record in the National Crime Information Computer.
• Engrave the item with your name, address, and/or driver's license number.  Note: The Byron Police Department has a metal engraver that can be loaned out for this purpose.

Marking your property applies to far more than just home electronics.  It is also helpful to mark bicycles, lawn equipment, tools, or any other items that thieves would take.

Help the police protect your property -- mark your belongings!