The General Investigations Unit is responsible for investigating property crimes, auto theft, fraud and financial crimes.
How to help
- Obtain serial numbers on all items stolen.
- Advise department of any new information that may be of assistance.
- Report stolen items as accurately and completely as possible.
- Advise department if additional losses are discovered after the original report.
- Keep department informed of changes in address or phone number.
- Remember, property cannot be returned.
- Prosecution of offenders works best with victim cooperation.
How the department uses this information
- All serial-numbered items are entered into a statewide database.
- Very valuable items or those connected with more serious crimes such as murder or rape are entered into a national computer.
- Teletypes are sent to other agencies for item or suspect identification; teletypes from other agencies are checked daily.
- Similar cases are compared.
- Fingerprints of sufficient clarity are entered into the statewide-automated fingerprint identification system.
- Prior arrests are closely checked to determine if the criminal arrested could also be responsible for other crimes.
- Property recovered is checked to see if it can be returned to proper owner.