As the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate several break-ins that occurred last week, one thing that aids investigators is recording serial numbers.

Serial numbers are registered with the National Crime Information Center, said Detective H.L. Williams. “When we go through search warrants we check serial numbers and it comes back as a hit or no hit,” he said. “It aids in the recovery of property. They keep it on record until we tell them to take it off.”

NCIC, as the center is most often called, is a great tool for law enforcement, Williams said. “It really aids in the recovery. It works and is a great system when it comes to law enforcement.”

The sheriff’s office needs to people to record serial numbers of their valuables, whether laptops, computers firearms, televisions or other items of worth. Williams advises, however, to not store the numbers in safes because those are primary targets in break-ins. He also advises to take photos of jewelry and store them in a safe place.

Serial numbers, whether numbers gleaned from the product itself or owner-applied numbers made up by the owner, help, Williams said, as do keeping a record of vehicle identification numbers. “Several laptops have been returned as well as several flat screens. We got a serial number hit on a gun that was found in New Jersey and a motorcycle stolen here was found in Utah because somebody kept the VIN number. We when do traffic stops we check the serial numbers. Property has been returned from a mere traffic stop.”

For more information contact the sheriff’s office at 252-583-8201.