The Leon County Sheriff's Office Crimes Against Property Unit consists of eight detectives and one sergeant. The unit investigates a wide variety of crimes including: burglary, theft, dealing stolen property, auto theft, vandalism, arson, animal cruelty, and various other property related crimes.
Dog "Baiting", or fighting, is just one example of the types of cases worked by the Crimes Against Property Unit. This is usually an especially difficult case to work because witnesses are reluctant to come forward. In just one such case investigated by this unit, detectives spent many hours getting what information was available from neighbors, collecting medical reports from vets, and coordinating with animal control on nearly 20 dogs that were seized from one location. Eventually, the detectives developed enough information for over forty charges related to fighting and baiting animals.
One of the prime crime fighting tools used by the Crimes Against Property Unit is the Pawn Shop Database. This is a computer system that tracks any and all property pawned in local pawn shops. This system is maintained by Leon County, but is in use in many of the counties in North Florida. The list of Florida counties in the system is ever increasing, and soon will include counties in Georgia as well.
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By their nature, property crimes are very difficult to solve. There is often little evidence and few witnesses to assist in solving the case. The best weapon against a property crime is a watchful eye. Be aware of what is talking place in your neighborhood. Don't rationalize suspicious behavior. If you see activity taking place that seems a little strange, call the sheriff's office immediately.
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