The chances of getting your stolen gear back is a longshot but the single best thing your can do apart from prevention is to record your serial numbers the second you purchase your gear. I say the second you purchase it (and yes I mean right at the counter before you leave the store) because your car could get broken into when you stop for a burrito on the way home and as well your garage/house as well while your gear awaits install.

This goes for all items you purchase and not just car audio.

Keep a list of all serial numbers in a seperate spot.

If an item is lost/stolen and you have the serial number it can be added to CPIC. If that number should be run anytime after that the status of the item can now be obtained.
Here's a quick scenario to get the point across: On a routine traffic stop a deck is found sitting in the backseat or trunk. The deck is stolen but all I know at this point is that there's a deck there and it could be his old bought and paid for deck that he's selling his buddy, a used legit deck awaiting install, or it could be stolen. If that decks serial number was recorded when bought and the owner gave the serial number to the police when it was reported stolen I will know it the second I run it and the deck leaves with me. If not I've got nothing and the deck leaves with him.

Same thing happens if an item gets hocked at a pawn shop and the local police run the serial number. If the item comes back stolen it gets returned to the owner but if it hasn't been recorded the item keeps making the rounds. Items can turn up anywhere whether it's the pawn shop or a residential drug grow (the keepers just might be watching your stolen TV and DVD player in there).

Hardwrkr

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Pioneer - MB Quart - OZ
http://www.cardomain.com/id/37554
"Your sister is hot but your mom does that thing with her tongue..."

Excellent advice. Couldn't of said it better my self.

Very Helpful Advice!

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if you goy iy at a pawn shop go to the local police and have them run the serial number.

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EVERY FAMILY HAS A RETARD IN IT. IF YOU THINK THAT YOURS DOESNT HAVE ONE, THEN ITS PROBABLY YOU.

^^ hmm, would you be reimbursed or arrested for bringing stolen gear to the police station?

haha, great advise either way, glad to see someone is looking out for us, or should I say our precious gear

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Inside my 96 Nissan Sentra:
Pioneer DEH-P8600MP
Pioneer Premier GM-X924 Amp Powering 2x JBL P632 midbass, w/ CerwinVega Tweeters, on Pioneer passive xovers
Pioneer GM-X922 Amp Powering a Pioneer Premier TS-W1041DVC sealed
Awaiting spring: Pioneer CD-635, Clif Design QX6500C, a 0g run and adding a Sony LS-1065g

What helps the RCMP or a local police detachment as well is a drivers license number. Engrave your drivers license number onto your equipment. Make sure your serial numbers are on your invoices. Keep your boxes as they also have the serial numbers on them.

I would strongly advise not to give out any of your personal information as identity theft is growing. That of course includes scratching your DL number onto your gear.

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Pioneer - MB Quart - OZ
http://www.cardomain.com/id/37554
"Your sister is hot but your mom does that thing with her tongue..."

so are you an officer of the law? lol
someone was telling me how hard it is to fill out the papers, and it makes it worse when your dog eats them...
great tips, geting your stereo stuff stolen sucks...

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seems like good advice to me,im gonna do it this weekend,couldnt hurt,thats for sure,my old man just lost all the gear i had installed last summer,we'll never get it back.....

got some good info boiling up in here thanks allot boys

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THE WORLDS BEST ENGINE IS A .....FANNY it takes any size piston is self lubricating starts with 1 finger
changes its own oil every 4 weeks ....ITS A PITY THE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IS SO DAMM TEMPERAMENTAL !!!