Jennum said the system is often helpful enough for an officer to take a report one day and check the next day for similar stolen items sold at local stores. It also allows police to compare the seller’s photo to descriptions of suspects.

That’s why she said she wants more people to report stolen items by phone at 402-444-4877. Police can’t check what they don’t know has been stolen, she said. People can even log their serial numbers using LeadsOnline.

Even people running the pawnshops that work with the system say they appreciate having the tool. John Dineen, general manager for Sol’s Jewelry and Loan, said his industry isn’t interested in selling stolen goods.

“Criminals aren’t stupid,” Dineen said. “They know we work with the Police Department very closely. We want to be sure they don’t go somewhere else.”

This year is the first since the council extended the pawnshop sales ordinance to cover cash sales of items to secondhand stores, despite concerns from retailers about the additional record-keeping and losses to online sales.

One big difference between the two types of stores: Pawnshops will lend people money on items and charge interest; secondhand shops will not.