How to get your stuff back if something is stolen

Despite all hopes and precautions, the worst happened: your home was burglarized. The thieves took numerous items, expensive and inexpensive, precious and semi-precious and some of them nigh irreplaceable. You’re shocked and appalled to have been targeted in such a way.

Soon, however, you start to wonder: is there any way I can get any of my stuff back?

Sure, if you have good homeowners’ insurance, some of it can be replaced that way. One microwave is as good as another, right? (Maybe not, actually). But what about that priceless baseball signed by your favorite player? Or that jewelry box filled with keepsakes from loved ones? Can you get those back?

Perhaps.

There are certain steps any homeowner can take to try and find their stolen goods.

• Before you do anything else, call the police. A police report on your loss can not only start the process of an investigation, it will give you support for seeking restitution from insurance or other sources. Law enforcement will properly document the theft, and you can help. It’s useful to keep a document with all your electronic devices’ serial numbers on it, for instance, so they can match any item against the list to ensure it’s your stolen property.
• Track your electronics. Many electronic devices like laptops and smartphones come with software allowing you to locate the device if it goes missing. Activate those when you have them and, in the case of a robbery, you may be able to track the item back when the time comes.
• Check the pawn shop. Many thieves’ first stop after a robbery is a pawn shop, where they can offload stolen items quickly for cash without worrying about haivng to prove ownership. If you look at pawn shops in your area, you might find some items that are clearly yours. If you do, however, don’t confront the owner about it. Instead, ask the clerk to hold the item for you, then call the police and have them go through official channels to confirm the item is yours and recover it.
• Go online. Savvier thieves may go the pawn shop route online, listing your stolen goods on a resale website such as eBay or similar site. Look online yourself and try and keep an eye out for any items that might be yours.
• Mark items in some way with a distinguishing mark — a stamp, a sticker, your initials, etc. — to further make them easily identifiable in the case of loss or theft.

If you happen to have a home security system from BlueAccess, that will further aid your search for such items. While BlueAccess’ products will often stop a home invasion altogether, should one occur under their watch, they will be able to provide law enforcement with video surveillance footage, should it be part of your system, and other aid to try and ensure the culprits are caught and your items reclaimed.

Do what you can now to prepare for such an event, from equipping your home with a BlueAccess system to documenting your valuables, and the search for your stolen items will be far easier than otherwise.