Everyone wanting to add an extra layer of protection against theft should take inventory of their belongings, according to a Facebook post by the Carroll County Sheriff's Office.

The full post is below:

Help Us Help You!

Too often, when Sheriff’s deputies are called to take a theft or burglary report, we discover that the victim has not documented their property with model and serial numbers. This crucial information can make all the difference in recovering stolen items.

When we are provided with the brand name, model, and serial number of a stolen item, we can enter that information into the Arkansas Crime Information Center’s database. If the item is later sold to a pawn shop, our office is alerted through a system called LEADS Online. This system provides us with details of the transaction, including the name of the person who pawned the item and a copy of their driver’s license.

Additionally, if a law enforcement officer checks an item’s serial number on scene, and it has been reported as stolen, they will be notified immediately and can begin an investigation on the spot.

We urge you to take some time—just a day—to document your valuables. Use a notebook or digital file to record the brand, model, serial number, and estimated value of items such as firearms, tools, electronics, motorcycles, ATVs, trailers, and more. For items without identification numbers, like jewelry, take clear photographs. Store this documentation in a secure place.

Below is a direct quote from the National Crime Information Center:

Tag and title your stuff

If you are a victim of a property crime, the police need serial numbers for the NCIC. Citizens believe their property is just gone, but that’s just not true. Police officers report that they routinely find large quantities of stolen property, but the NCIC contains no record of the theft. Without a record, no charges can be filed against the criminal and the property cannot be returned.

The above was originally posted on the Facebook Page of the Carroll County Sheriff's Office.