Mishawaka police propose new law to catch stolen goods

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- Mishawaka police are trying a new method of catching stolen goods, especially ones stolen at pawn shops.

The Mishawaka City Council approved a law requiring shops selling used and pawned goods to log those items online.

The stores must use a website called Leads Online to help police catch those who sell stolen goods. 

"We get the person's driver's license, their thumbprint.  We scan their ids into the computer system, so their picture id is also on record.  And then, once that goes to the police department, then they can have all that information and it is cross-referenced that way as well," said Ozark's Pawn Shop Sherrl Vegh.

In a letter to the city council, the assistant chief of police says the new system will benefit the business community.

He says there is also no charge to register and report to the website.