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[Question] Stolen Watches?

M
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Hoping for some advice on what to do. Had a few items stolen yesterday including an Omega Speedmaster Chronoscope and a JLC Ultra Thin Moon Phase in rose gold among other items. Both <4 months old.

Will be trying Amex purchase protection, although it is outside of the 90 day window so am not holding out any hope. Police report is in process. Renter's insurance stupidly appears to be liability-only. Anything else I should be doing? Really appreciate any advice. Houston area.
 
Duracuir1
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So sorry to read this…

If police have serial numbers they will enter the watches on their (and on a shared) database as “stolen”.

If the theft occurred in a big city the police will investigate but the effort will be based on value.

If the value meets a certain benchmark ($25000 for example - this is only an example), or if this type of crime is a regular occurrence in their jurisdiction, it will be investigated more thoroughly.

If the theft occurred in a smaller town, usually the officers will have more time to commit to the investigation.

Have you only dealt with a front line uniform officer? Did they offer contact information for follow up? Was the police report only taken by phone? (If so, there may be very little follow up).

Credit card protection might work but I have never tried.

If police are following up do stay in touch with them. If they are not pursuing it further then your own steps to gather information will not interfere with the investigation.

I base my response above on 33 years of policing. Several of our esteemed members here are able to top me up with their experience, both in policing, investigation or through their own personal knowledge and stories.

Good luck.
Edited:
 
jdjones
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They will likely be pawned/sold. There are databases which track stolen items by serial number which come into pawn shops - although laws vary by state. Leads Online is an example of such a database.

Pawn shops are required to log serial numbers and law enforcement has access. This can lead to finding the stolen items.

Did the thief take other items? If not, maybe it was someone with knowledge of your possessions.
 
janice&fred
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High end watches as well as jewelry in the USA are usually stolen with a plan in place. For instance the perp has a "fence" in mind to off the stuff to. Many times this is in fact a legit pawn shop that the perp is friendly with. This stuff is bought through the "back door" then sold to overseas slippery dealers if serial numbers are an issue. When we lived in the Philippines it was common practice for well-connected local dealers to receive packages from the states with red hot high end watches, as there was a ready market for them and no one, especially the local police, could do anything about it. South America is also a hot spot for stateside shysters to sell hot stuff, including vehicles.
Most USA pawn shop owners would be familiar with these overseas buyers as they have stateside based agents canvassing for business. The chances of locating a stolen watch via pawn shop reporting is slim to none.
 
dsio
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janice&fred janice&fred
High end watches as well as jewelry in the USA are usually stolen with a plan in place. For instance the perp has a "fence" in mind to off the stuff to. Many times this is in fact a legit pawn shop that the perp is friendly with. This stuff is bought through the "back door" then sold to overseas slippery dealers if serial numbers are an issue. When we lived in the Philippines it was common practice for well-connected local dealers to receive packages from the states with red hot high end watches, as there was a ready market for them and no one, especially the local police, could do anything about it. South America is also a hot spot for stateside shysters to sell hot stuff, including vehicles.
Most USA pawn shop owners would be familiar with these overseas buyers as they have stateside based agents canvassing for business. The chances of locating a stolen watch via pawn shop reporting is slim to none.
It’s a lot less organised in Australia from what I’ve seen, kids do a lot of burglaries and steal luxury goods just to post pics of them with the gear on Instagram to impress their friends then sell / trade then for vape cartridges and drugs with their mates.

Rarely a plan, just chaos for the sake of having fun.
 
vintage hab
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Really sorry about the loss of your watches. Hope you manage to have a Happy Thanksgiving with your family.
 
M
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Thanks all. Really appreciate the responses.

@jdjones - yes about 8k of cash / other items were taken. Just moved across the country and hadn't set up a proper safe etc. Basically whatever looked easily grabbable and worth something.

@Duracuir1 - we did cross the threshold for a 3rd degree felony charge, so hoping that helps. Going building to building along the streets for security camera footage on the slim chance something hits. Front line uni has been really great and if I can help him I figure that makes life easier for all of us.
 
kkt
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Do pawn shops open watches that have no serial number visible on the case in order to look for the movement serial number?
 
subregister
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@mossfool - so sorry about the losses. Shoot me a DM with details if you would like me to add to the Alpha Hands stolen watch registry…perhaps it can help.
 
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